Hypertension – What is it exactly?
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems.
Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps through your narrow arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
“I may have high blood pressure but I feel fine so I don’t need to treat it.”
Hypertension doesn’t usually show symptoms. One third of people don’t even know they have it! A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to can lead to congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, stroke, coronary artery disease. This explains where it get’s it nickname, Silent Killer!
“Thank goodness I’m young. I don’t have to worry about high blood pressure yet.”
It is recommended to begin screening for high blood pressure at age 18. During adolescence, age, body size and level of sexual development have roles in determining blood pressure.
“High blood pressure runs in my family so I’ll just deal with it when it happens.”
Although it may run in your family, you can take steps to prevent it! Exercising and limiting sodium in your diet can help prevent high blood pressure. Also, don’t smoke and limit your amount of stress.
“I’m a woman, isn’t it more common in men? I don’t have to worry.”
Women are at risk for high blood pressure too! Some women who might be at an increased risk for high blood pressure include those who are overweight, taking a birth control pill, pregnant, related to people with high blood pressure, African-American, postmenopausal.
“I can finally stop taking my blood pressure medication! My readings are low!”
High blood pressure can be a lifelong disease. Do not stop taking your blood pressure medications without speaking with your healthcare provider. Make sure you are always following their recommendations carefully!
American Heart Association. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.heart.org/
High blood pressure (hypertension). (2018, May 12). Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373417
Steen, L., MD. (n.d.). Hypertension myths and facts: A conversation with Lowell H. Steen Jr., MD. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.healio.com/news/cardiology/20181129/hypertension-myths-and-facts-a-conversation-with-lowell-h-steen-jr-md
I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I loved how you included quotes as introductions to the next section of information. It made your post easy to follow and read and really caught and kept my attention. You brought up some great information within your post like how even young people have to worry about high blood pressure and how even when your blood pressure is becoming within normal limits you still have to take medications prescribed.