High Blood Pressure: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Management, and Diagnosis!

High blood pressure or hypertension is a leading health issue affecting almost every Indian. Timely detection and preventive measures can curb the existence of hypertension. 

Hypertension is a major cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a prevalence of around 29.8%. In India, urban areas contribute 25-30%, while rural areas contribute 10-20%. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 220 million Indians are living with hypertension, where only 12% have their blood pressure under control. Organizations took the initiative to prevent and manage hypertension. 

If you are dealing with hypertension, this blog is for you. 

We will provide you with every required detail about high blood pressure so you can take preventive measures and manage the disease. 

What is Blood Pressure? 

Blood pressure is the force that acts against the boundaries of your arteries when your heart pumps blood in the body. The force of blood, if too high, can be termed ‘hypertension or high blood pressure,’ and when too low, it can be called ‘hypotension or low blood pressure.’ 

A healthcare provider classifies blood pressure measurements by using two numbers: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. It is usually recorded as systolic/diastolic, i.e., systolic number first, followed by diastolic. 

• Systolic Pressure- This is the upper measurement, which measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. 

• Diastolic Pressure is the bottom measurement, measuring the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes between heartbeats. 

Doctors classify the normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings as 120/80, where systolic is 120 (upper number) and diastolic is 80 (bottom number). Doctors measure these units in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg). 

Low Blood pressure 

Doctors classify low blood pressure as a number below the normal range when a blood pressure reading is recorded. It can happen because of: 

• Blood loss 

• Dehydration 

• Anemia 

• Pregnancy 

• Liver diseases 

To know more details about low blood pressure, check out https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/blood-pressure/low-blood-pressure-hypotension-all-you-need-to-know-about-it/ 

High blood pressure 

Do you often get angry or feel heart palpitations? The most significant reason is high blood pressure. 

Hypertension is high blood pressure classified as a ‘Silent Killer.’ It brings no major unidentical symptoms, which leads to late detection, diagnosis, and management. 

High blood pressure is a medical condition when your blood pressure's normal range exceeds. This medical condition can cause major health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and liver damage. 

Experts have classified blood pressure readings into five categories. 

Category	Systolic Pressure	And/Or	Diastolic Pressure
Normal	Less than 120	And	Less than 80
Elevated	120-129	And	Less than 80
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension Stage 1 )	130-139	Or	80-89
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension Stage 2)	140 or Higher	Or	90 or Higher
Hypertensive Crisis (Seek medical help as soon as possible)	Higher than 180	And/Or	Higher than 120

*Always check twice, and if you get the same number, seek medical help*

What is a dangerously high blood pressure for a woman?

Blood pressure is usually lower in women than in men. A blood pressure reading above 120/80 comes under high blood pressure. But, a reading of 180/120 is considered dangerously high blood pressure for a woman. 

Types of high blood pressure

People often wonder how many types of hypertension exist. There are mainly two types of hypertension; primary and secondary. 

Primary Hypertension

Primary hypertension, or essential hypertension, is a common type of high blood pressure that exists in people. 

Experts can’t specifically identify the cause. They believe that it is a combination of genetics, diet, age, and lifestyle factors. 

Lifestyle factors majorly: 

• Lack of physical activity 

• Smoking 

• Excessive stress 

• Excess salt in the diet 

• Obesity or overweight 

• Overconsumption of alcohol

Secondary Hypertension 

Secondary hypertension is a medical condition that is identifiable and potentially reversible. Around 5% to 10% of people have secondary hypertension. Generally, it is present in youngsters. 

Experts found various causes of secondary hypertension, including: 

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Hormone abnormalities 

• Constriction of your aorta 

• Side effects of certain medications, such as antidepressants and birth control pills 

• Narrowing of the arteries 

• Adrenal gland disease 

There are three subtypes of hypertension too. These are resistant hypertension, malignant hypertension, and isolated hypertension. 

Have you ever heard about White Coat Hypertension?

White coat hypertension occurs when blood pressure suddenly and temporarily increases in a doctor’s clinic or during a stressful situation, such as traffic. 

Recent studies found that high blood pressure disease, which is white coat hypertension, may lead to cardiovascular risk. So, if you experience white coat hypertension, proceed toward diagnosis. 

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure 

Many factors can raise blood pressure levels, affecting overall health and contributing to major health complications. 

High blood pressure poses no identified symptoms, even if the reading cross exceeds. You can have high blood pressure for years without any major symptoms. After numerous observations, studies, and research, experts identified various symptoms and causes of high blood pressure. 

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

The World Health Organization (WHO) classified various early symptoms of high blood pressure. Have a look at them: 

• Severe Headaches

Hypertension is high blood pressure, which can cause pain on both sides of the head, resulting in a feeling of pressure buildup inside the skull. This causes severe headaches, which are often different from typical headaches. 

Experts term this a hypertensive headache, which can cause certain other health complications. If you experience this, seek medical consultation and prevent a life-threatening situation. 

• Chest Pain

Hypertension damages and narrows the arteries supplying blood to the heart, which triggers chest pain. Doctors call this ‘angina pectoris’. You can feel squeezing, tightness, or pressure sensations in your chest's left side or center. 

• Dizziness 

Although dizziness is not a direct symptom of high blood pressure, it can be associated with complications like blood vessel damage, orthostatic hypotension, and side effects of certain medications. 

• Difficulty Breathing

High blood pressure can cause pulmonary hypertension, which causes shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Pulmonary hypertension normally occurs in the lungs' blood vessels, hindering the heart's ability to pump blood. 

• Nausea and Vomiting 

High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the brain, causing vomiting and nausea. 

6 Other Symptoms of High Blood Pressure 

• Blurred vision or other vision changes

• Anxiety 

• Confusion 

• Buzzing in the ears

• Nosebleeds 

• Abnormal heart rhythm

People at Risk with high blood pressure

Apart from these symptoms, many risk factors are associated with high blood pressure. These are: 

• People over the age of 55 years

• People with a family history of hypertension

• Lack of physical activity or not enough exercise

• Obesity or being overweight 

• Consumption of tobacco, smoking, or vaping 

• Low potassium levels 

• Drinking too much alcohol 

• Stress 

• Too much salt in the diet

• Chronic diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea 

• Pregnancy 

High blood pressure is common in adults in India at around 25%. However, kids sometimes can have high blood pressure because of heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease. A child can curb this with a healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications. 

Health Complications of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a major contributor to non-communicable diseases, which can damage blood vessels and body organs. Proper management with timely control can help prevent life-threatening health complications. 

• Heart Attack- The strain of high blood pressure affects the walls of the heart’s pumping chamber to thicken and harden. Doctors classify this condition as left ventricular hypertrophy, which affects blood flow and makes it hard for your blood to pump, which may lead to heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and also leading to heart failure.

• Aneurysm—Hypertension, or high blood pressure, causes blood vessels to bulge and weaken, creating an aneurysm. An aneurysm can appear anywhere in the body, but it is most commonly present in the aorta and the brain.

• Kidney Problems—Hypertension can weaken the kidney blood vessels, leading to kidney damage and kidney problems. 

• Vision Problem- High blood pressure thickened, or torn blood vessels in the eyes, can cause eye problems and vision loss. 

Diagnosis of High Blood pressure 

The diagnosis of high blood pressure begins by measuring the levels through a blood pressure reading mechanism—a healthcare professional measures it by placing an inflatable cuff around the arm. A machine or small hand pump inflates the cuff and records the blood pressure reading. 

The measurements are recorded in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg), specifically in two numbers: systolic and diastolic pressure. The blood pressure range is normal at 120/80 mg/Hg. Still, if the machine records high metrics, your doctor can prescribe certain tests such as lab tests, ECG, ambulatory monitoring, and echocardiogram to determine the cause. 

Treatment for High Blood Pressure

The first and foremost step towards treatment is changing lifestyle. This way, you can also control and manage high blood pressure. Lifestyle modifications such as: 

1. Regular physical activity 

2. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. 

3. Limiting the consumption of alcohol 

4. Regular sleeping of 7 to 9 hours daily. 

5. Maintain a healthy weight 

6. Have a healthy, nutritious diet

7. Add less salt to the diet. 

Medications for Treating High Blood Pressure

Your healthcare provider may also recommend medications to manage and treat hypertension, which helps curb the infection. The medicines depend on your overall health and blood pressure level. 

A doctor might infuse certain medical drugs for high blood pressure treatment, such as 

• Water pills or diuretic medicines

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors 

• Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) medicines

• Calcium channel blockers medicines

• Alpha-blocker medicines

• Alpha-beta blocker medicines 

• Beta-blocker medicines

• Renin inhibitor medicines

• Aldosterone antagonists medicines 

• Central-acting agent medicines

• Vasodilator medicines 

Also, read https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/lifestyle/best-exercises-to-control-manage-high-blood-pressure/ 

Blood Tests for High Blood Pressure 

If you see symptoms of high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend blood pressure tests and lab tests to measure the blood pressure levels and diagnose hypertension. A healthcare provider may recommend a CBC test, kidney function test, C-reactive protein (CRP) test, and more blood tests. 

Check out https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/lab-test/essential-blood-tests-to-diagnose-high-blood-pressure/ to get detailed information on blood tests for high blood pressure. 

How to Reduce High Blood Pressure Naturally? 

Lifestyle modifications should be practiced to lower or reduce high blood pressure naturally. These include: 

1. Eat a healthy diet with less salt and more potassium. 

2. Modify your life by adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

3. Avoid drinking alcohol or limit it to 14 alcohol units per week. 

4. Practice stress relief activities, such as exercising, meditating, and listening to soft and soothing music. 

5. Set a goal to sleep for 7 to 9 hours daily.