Understanding Your Hypertension Diagnosis

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, denotes a medical condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. It's often referred to as a "silent killer" because it typically has no symptoms but can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. This blog article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of hypertension, its causes, symptoms, potential complications, and the various tests involved in its diagnosis.

‍What is Hypertension?‍

Hypertension occurs when your blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels. Blood pressure measurement takes into account how much blood is passing through your blood vessels and the amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping. Narrow arteries increase resistance, and the narrower your arteries are, the higher your blood pressure will be. Over the long term, prolonged elevation of pressure can lead to health issues, such as heart disease.

‍Causes of Hypertension‍

Hypertension is categorized into two types - primary (essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension develops gradually over time with no identifiable cause, while secondary hypertension occurs quickly and can become more severe. It is often caused by an underlying health condition, such as hormonal disorders, kidney disease, or as a side effect of certain medications.

‍Symptoms and Potential Complications

Most people with hypertension experience no symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. Some people however may experience headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds.

If left untreated, hypertension can lead to serious complications, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, and even kidney disease.

‍Diagnosing Hypertension‍

Hypertension is diagnosed based on blood pressure readings, which are given in two numbers: systolic and diastolic. The systolic number (the top number) indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats. The diastolic number (the bottom number) indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats. A blood pressure reading above 130/80 mm Hg is generally considered to be hypertensive.

‍Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home‍

Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure, assess the impact of the lifestyle changes you’ve made, and your treatment plan and raise awareness of possible health complications to you and your doctor. Blood pressure monitors are readily available and don’t require a prescription. Discuss home monitoring with your doctor before you get started.

Understanding your hypertension diagnosis is the first step towards effective management. By monitoring your blood pressure levels, making lifestyle changes, and following your doctor's treatment plan, you can control hypertension and reduce the risk of associated health complications.

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Reference:

• What is High Blood Pressure? | American Heart Association
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)| Mayo Clinic
• ‍High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes
• ‍High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) | FDA

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