Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body.
Your blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day.
What do blood pressure numbers mean?
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:
The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when the heart rests between beats.
According to the WHO any reading above 140/90 for a sustained period of time would be considered to be high.
No matter your age, you can take steps each day to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. No wonder it is normally referred to as the “Silent killer.
”Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure or not.
However, some few individuals may develop certain signs and symptoms especially if they have gotten into complications of hypertension;
- Nose bleeding/Epistaxis
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lower limb swelling
- Chest pains
- Easy fatigability
- Shortness of breath
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
What causes high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is usually classified into two;
1. Primary Hypertension; which affects 95% of individuals. The cause is uknown.However, we have risk factors which are:
(a)Non- modifiable risk factors – risk factors that we do not have control over e.g.
- Age
- Gender
- Race
- Family history
(b)Modifiable risk factors -risk factors that we have control over
- Obesity /being overweight
- Physical inactivity
- Diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Stress
2. Secondary Hypertension which is as a result of something, affects 5% of individuals. The causes include;
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Kidney diseases
- Brain tumors
- Estrogen based methods of contraception
- Liver failure
- Thyroid disorders
- NSAIDS e.g. Ibuprofen
- Steroids
- Kidney diseases
You can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems that may affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.
How do I know if I have high blood pressure?
There’s only one way to know if you have high blood pressure: Have a doctor or other health professional measure it. Measuring your blood pressure is quick and painless.
You can book an appointment with us by clicking on the website https://hellodaktari.co.ke we are able to help you monitor your blood pressure at the comfort of your home since we normally offer home based care services. We also do online medical consultations thus are able to advice you accordingly.
High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it.