Hypertension

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. Over time, this can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

Causes & Risk Factors

Several factors can contribute to hypertension, including:

Genetics – Family history plays a role in blood pressure regulation.
Lifestyle Choices – Poor diet, excessive salt intake, and lack of exercise increase risk.
Medical Conditions – Diabetes, obesity, and kidney disease can contribute.
Age & Stress – Blood pressure tends to rise with age and chronic stress.

Symptoms

Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because many people don’t experience noticeable symptoms. However, severely high blood pressure can cause:

Headaches
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Nosebleeds (rare)

Diagnosis & Treatment

Hypertension is diagnosed with a blood pressure measurement, usually taken at a doctor’s office or home using a monitor.

Treatment Options

Managing hypertension typically involves:

Lifestyle Changes – Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly,
reducing sodium intake, and managing stress.
Medications – Doctors may prescribe drugs like ACE inhibitors,
beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics.
Polypills – New treatments like Widaplik, recently
FDA-approved, combine multiple medications into one pill
to simplify treatment.

Prevention & Management

To keep blood pressure under control:

Follow a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise at least 30 minutes
most days of the week.
Avoid excessive alcohol and tobacco use.
Monitor blood pressure regularly.

Get Professional Help

If you're concerned about hypertension, consult your healthcare provider for personalized treatment options.

For more information visit The American Heart Association.