One of the most widespread and risky adult health issues in America is hypertension, or high blood pressure. A "silent killer," it generally does not display any noticeable symptoms but greatly enhances the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other life-altering complications.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing on your artery walls as your heart beats. It is measured as two numbers:
- Systolic pressure (upper number): The pressure as your heart beats.
- Diastolic pressure (lower number): Your heart's resting pressure between beats.
Normal blood pressure is typically 120/80 mm Hg. A reading of 130/80 mm Hg or more is considered high blood pressure.
| Blood pressure (mmHg) | Category |
|---|---|
| Below 120 / 80 | Normal |
| 120–129 / under 80 | Elevated |
| 130–139 / 80–89 | Stage 1 hypertension |
| 140+ / 90+ | Stage 2 hypertension |
| Over 180 / over 120 | Crisis — seek care now |
Common Causes of High Blood Pressure
Primary (Essential) Hypertension — The most common type, it develops gradually over years. Contributing factors include genetics, aging, excessive salt consumption, inactivity, obesity, and recurrent stress.
Secondary Hypertension — Arises from an underlying medical condition such as kidney disease, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, or certain medications.
Symptoms
High blood pressure is often symptomless, particularly in its early stages. Extremely high blood pressure may cause severe headaches, fatigue or confusion, vision issues, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or blood in urine. Regular checkups are crucial for early diagnosis.
Complications of Untreated Hypertension
- Heart attack or stroke due to thickening and narrowing of arteries
- Heart failure
- Aneurysm
- Kidney damage
- Vision loss
Management and Treatment
Lifestyle Changes
- Healthy diet (the DASH diet): focus on fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-sodium foods
- Regular exercise: a minimum of 150 minutes weekly
- Weight control
- Limit alcohol and avoid smoking
- Reducing stress through yoga, therapy, or mindfulness
Medications
If lifestyle changes alone are not enough, your doctor might prescribe diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or ARBs.
Why Choose Remix Medical
At Remix Medical, our doctors provide individualized treatment plans, education, and advanced treatments that can assist you in living a healthier, longer life.