HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

BY Chukwuma Chinaza Adaobi

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common condition and occurs when the blood pressure in your arteries increases and your heart has to work harder than normal to pump blood through your blood vessels. The more blood your heart pumps, and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure will be. High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease.

High blood pressure typically develops over many years, and fortunately, it’s easy to detect – you can even check it at home with a personal blood pressure monitor. Once you know you have high blood pressure, there are numerous things you can do to control it. Most of these lifestyle changes can be made by altering things in your day to day life, such as eating better, exercising more, and cutting out unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

These are the common things that can lead to high blood pressure:

1.    Smoking

2.    Obesity

3.    Stress

4.    Genetics

5.    Kidney problems

6.    Thyroid problems

7.    Obstructive sleep apnea

8.    Certain medications such as birth control, cold remedies and prescription drugs

9.    Too much alcohol consumption

10. Too much salt in your diet

Who is at Risk for High Blood Pressure?

There are numerous factors that put certain people at higher risk for high blood pressure. Check them out below.

1. Age and Gender

As you get older, your risk for high blood pressure increases. Until around the age of 64, high blood pressure is more common in men, and after that, it tends to be more common in women.

2. Genetics

High blood pressure tends to run in the family, meaning that if your parents or grandparents had it, you are likely to get it too. If you’re born with certain defects in your blood vessels, this also makes you more likely to develop high blood pressure.

3. Obesity

If you’re overweight or obese, this increases your likelihood of high blood pressure. The more you weigh the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. As more blood is circulated through your blood vessels, more pressure is placed on your artery walls.

4. Tobacco Use

Smoking or chewing tobacco raises your blood pressure temporarily, and also damages the lining of your artery walls. This can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your risk of heart disease. Note that second hand smoke can cause the same effects, and also lead to heart disease.