The ABCs of High Blood Pressure: Range, Symptoms, and Prevention Explained

Key Takeaways:

1. Prevalence of high BP in India: Despite affecting 220 million people in India, only about 12% have their high blood pressure under control, highlighting a significant gap in management.

2. Understanding high BP: High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when blood flow exerts excessive pressure on blood vessels, necessitating a closer examination of its causes and implications.

3. Signs and symptoms: While high blood pressure typically presents no symptoms, individuals may experience subtle signs like headaches, irregular heartbeats, and fatigue, underscoring the importance of awareness and monitoring.

4. Management strategies: Lifestyle modifications, including weight loss, dietary changes, sodium reduction, physical activity, and moderate alcohol consumption, play a crucial role in controlling high blood pressure and reducing associated risks.

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According to WHO, cardiovascular disease affects about 45% population between the age of 45-69. There is a strong link between high blood pressure and heart disease. But, among the 220 million people in India who currently suffer from high blood pressure, only about 12% have it under control.

High blood pressure is a "silent killer" because it typically has no symptoms. However, it can cause complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

Hence, it is essential to understand blood pressure, its effects on your body, and how you can manage it.

What is High BP?

When blood flows, it exerts pressure on your blood vessels. This pressure is necessary to maintain an adequate blood flow to all body parts. But when your blood pressure increases above a specific limit, it is said to be hypertension or high BP.

The following blood pressure chart shows the high BP range-

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As the heart contracts, systolic blood pressure represents the maximum pressure the blood applies to the arteries. The diastolic pressure means the minimum pressure just before the heart contracts again. Blood pressure is usually expressed as 120/80 mm Hg, a combination of systolic and diastolic pressure.

What Are The Reasons For High BP?

High BP is a multifaceted disease. Many factors can influence the development of high BP. These factors include:

1. Genetic predisposition
   It is a complex disorder caused by many genes or combinations of genes that affect blood pressure.‍
2. Overweight and obesity
   Obesity has a direct correlation with hypertension. It may even be responsible for up to 40% of cases of hypertension.‍
3. Sodium intake
   Excessive salt consumption is associated with increased BP and risk of stroke and other heart diseases.‍
4. Physical fitness
   Physical fitness has an inverse relationship with blood pressure. High BP is more likely to happen if your body is not physically fit.‍
5. Alcohol 
   Alcohol consumption is directly related to high blood pressure. Therefore, regular alcohol drinkers are more likely to develop hypertension.
6. High BP in pregnancy
   ‍Gestational hypertension increases the risk of developing life-long chronic high BP.
7. White coat hypertension

High BP Symptoms

Even if the pressure becomes relatively high, most people show no signs or symptoms of hypertension.

However, some people may experience early morning headaches, nose bleeds, irregular heartbeats, vision changes, and ear buzzing. In severe cases, hypertension can also cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors.

Untreated hypertension can lead to persistent chest pain, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and irregular heartbeats, possibly resulting in sudden death.

What is a Hypertensive Crisis?

A hypertensive crisis is an acute or severe increase in blood pressure greater than or equal to 180/120 mm Hg. Hypertensive crises are subdivided into hypertensive emergencies and hypertensive urgencies.

Hypertensive Emergency

It is a severe increase in BP associated with new or progressive end-organ damage. In other words, if you don't control blood pressure, it may permanently damage your organs. A true emergency requires your BP to get under control within minutes to hours.

Hypertensive Urgency

This severe increase in blood pressure is not associated with end-organ damage. However, you may have non-life-threatening symptoms like anxiety, headache, nose bleeds, rapid heartbeats, or mild shortness of breath.

Though the blood pressure becomes relatively high, it is not life-threatening. Therefore, reducing blood pressure, while necessary, is not an immediate concern. Instead, you can do it over the course of hours or days.

How to Control High BP?

You can control high BP at home with lifestyle changes. Here is what to do if BP is high.

1. Lose weight: Losing weight directly relates to a reduction in blood pressure for individuals suffering from hypertension.
2. Healthy diet: Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
3. Reduce dietary salt (sodium) intake: The optimal sodium intake goal should be <1,500 mg/day if you suffer from hypertension.
4. Physical activity: You should perform at least 90-150 minutes of aerobic exercise weekly.
5. Moderate alcohol intake: Women may need to limit alcohol to one drink a day and men to two drinks per day.

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FAQ's

How to reduce high BP immediately?

You can reduce high blood pressure immediately through various methods, including:

1. Deep breathing exercises: They can help relax blood vessels and temporarily lower blood pressure.
2. Engaging in physical activity: Taking a brisk walk or doing light exercise can help lower blood pressure by promoting blood flow.
3. Managing stress: Stress can elevate blood pressure. Relaxation techniques can reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure.

However, it's important to note that these methods provide temporary relief and may not be sufficient for long-term management of high blood pressure.

Is coffee good for high BP?

Coffee contains caffeine, which can temporarily increase blood pressure. However, the effect of caffeine on BP can vary from person to person. Some people may experience a significant increase in blood pressure, while others may not be as affected.

Moderate coffee drinking is safe for most people. However, excessive consumption of coffee may lead to higher blood pressure levels.

Can high BP cause dizziness?

Yes, high blood pressure can sometimes cause dizziness. When BP is excessively high, it can put more pressure on blood vessels in the brain, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness. This occurs because the brain may not receive enough blood flow or oxygen.

However, it's essential to note that dizziness can also be due to various other factors. Other conditions, such as low blood sugar, dehydration, inner ear problems, or medication side effects, can also result in dizziness.

Can high BP damage your eyes?

Hypertensive retinopathy is a condition that occurs when high BP damages the retina and its blood vessels leading to vision loss in the later stages.

Conclusion

Since hypertension does not cause symptoms, checking your blood pressure regularly is essential. In this way, you can get an early diagnosis and take action sooner to control it.

However, even if you were recently diagnosed with high BP, you can manage it by modifying your lifestyle and following your doctor's instructions.

Would you like to get some help in managing high BP? Then, download the Aware Health Tracker app. The Aware app will give you all the tools and guidance you need to manage your BP effectively. Download the Aware app today!

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About the author: 

Lucky Mehtani, B. Pharm, merges his healthcare expertise with a passion for writing to enhance India's heart health. Through insightful blogs, he provides well-researched information on managing Diabetes, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol, aiming to prevent heart attacks and strokes.