Symptoms of Hypertension

Blood pressure, as we all know, is the pressure exerted by the blood against the arterial walls. The unit of blood pressure reading is millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The reading 120/80 mm Hg is considered to be that of a person having normal blood pressure. Over here, 120 indicates the systolic pressure (pressure exerted when the heart contracts or beats) and 80 refers to diastolic pressure (pressure when the heart is at rest). It is to be noted that the normal range of blood pressure differs from one person to another; it varies depending on the age group and the profession.

Hypertension (HTN), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a condition of elevated blood pressure from the normal recommended level. When the blood pressure of a person is measured 140/90 mm Hg consistently for most of the time, then he/she is suffering from hypertension.

Symptoms of Hypertension

In general, there are two types of hypertension, namely, primary (essential) and secondary. The former refers to a high blood pressure condition, caused due to unknown reasons; whereas, secondary HTN is a complication, resulted due to other health problems such as diabetes, disorder in the blood vessels, tumors and kidney diseases. More than 90 percent cases of hypertension are reported to be primary HTN.

To be precise, there are no obvious symptoms of primary hypertension. Hence, many people even though they have HTN, are not aware about their condition. It is for this reason, HTN is sometimes referred to as 'silent disease'. Symptoms, if observed are vague and often confused with other diseases. Following are some of the common symptoms of hypertension:

• Recurrent headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Increased fatigue
• Ringing in the ears or tinnitus
• Nosebleed
• Lack of concentration
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• Increased urination
• Blood in urine

In case, any of the hypertension symptoms are observed, it is advisable to seek medical advice, as soon as possible. An untreated HTN may lead to the damage of body parts like heart, kidney and eyes, and can cause chest pain (angina), retinopathy (eye disease), heart attack and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Risk Factors of Hypertension

Though, the causes of primary hypertension are unknown, there are certain factors that pose a risk for increasing the blood pressure. Some of these risk factors include a stressful life, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol addiction, increased sodium intake and use of contraceptive pills. HTN is more common in the male population and older citizens (more than 65 years old). Studies have revealed that those individuals who have a family history of hypertension are at a greater risk of developing hypertension.

Hypertension is diagnosed only after monitoring the blood pressure. It can be confirmed by conducting a urine test and assessing the possibilities of heart failure. In severe cases of hypertension like malignant HTN (high blood pressure, associated with swelling in the optic nerve), treatment is administered by following medications under the prescription of a qualified physician.

The best way is to control the blood pressure in the normal range. One can lower the blood pressure by following healthy habits such as regular exercise and including healthy foods in the daily diet. It is advisable to check the blood pressure regularly, as increased blood pressure or decreased blood pressure (hypotension) can cause certain health related problems. This way, we can protect ourselves from the life-threatening complications of hypertension.