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Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which blood flows through the arteries at a higher pressure than normal.
- A blood pressure between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg is considered to be normal.
- The blood pressure above 120/80 mmHg is known as high blood pressure or hypertension.
- It is a serious health concern and nearly 1 billion people worldwide are affected by this.
- According to WHO analysis, this data may rise to around 1.57 billion by the year 2025.
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Key Terms: Blood pressure, High blood pressure, Hypertension, Arteries, Blood vessels, Normal blood pressure, Systolic pressure, Diastolic pressure
What is Hypertension?
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Hypertension is a condition characterized by persistently increased blood pressure caused by abnormalities in the regulatory systems that normally control blood pressure.
- Blood is the fluid connective tissue that circulates throughout our bodies through blood vessels known as arteries.
- The main function of the arteries is to provide blood to all organs of the body.
- The force of blood against the arteries is known as blood pressure.
- It is generally measured in units of millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
- If the blood pressure in the arteries rises above 120/80 mmHg, it is considered high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
- Hypertension is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure.
- This measurement consists of two readings: systolic and diastolic.
- Systolic pressure is the higher number that represents the pressure by which the heart pumps blood through the body.
- Diastolic pressure is the lower number that represents the pressure pressure at which the heart relaxes and refills the blood.
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Types of Hypertension
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There are two main types of hypertension
- Primary Hypertension
- Secondary Hypertension
Primary Hypertension
Primary hypertension is also known as Essential hypertension.
- This is the most common type of hypertension and its exact cause is unknown.
- Although it is likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
- Such factors include a family history of high blood pressure, increasing age, lack of physical activity, etc.
Secondary Hypertension
This type of hypertension is caused by an underlying disease or even medication.
- Sleep apnea, Thyroid dysfunction, and diabetes are associated with secondary hypertension.
- Certain chemicals, such as amphetamines, some antidepressants, and even caffeine, can lead to secondary hypertension.
Symptoms of Hypertension
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High blood pressure is often asymptomatic, meaning there are usually no noticeable symptoms. This is why it is called the "silent killer".
- It can damage the cardiovascular system.
- Prolonged high blood pressure can also lead to complications in various organs.
- One such complication is arteriosclerosis, a condition where plaque production narrows blood vessels.
Given below are a few symptoms which can be noticed as signs of abnormal or high blood pressure-
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding nose and uneasiness
- Narrowing of coronary arteries
- Formation of plaques in blood vessels
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
Causes of Hypertension
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The following are the causes of hypertension
- Stress and Environment: Acute stress and unfavorable environmental factors can cause blood pressure in normal and healthy people.
- Lifestyle Habits: Lifestyle choices significantly impact blood pressure.
- Physical Activity: A lack of physical activity can contribute to high blood pressure.
- Diet: High sodium intake from processed and fatty foods is a major dietary risk factor for hypertension.
- Substances: Tobacco and alcohol use can also increase blood pressure.
Diagnosis of Hypertension
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Diagnosis of high blood pressure typically involves measuring the patient's blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer.
- Doctors usually require at least three separate elevated readings to confirm the diagnosis.
- It helps to identify the underlying cause of high blood pressure and any potential complications.
The additional diagnosis of hypertension includes
- Blood tests
- Kidney ultrasound imaging
- Electrocardiogram (or) ECG test
- Urine tests
Treatment and Precautions of Hypertension
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High blood pressure and obesity are associated with each other, therefore, weight loss programs that combine diet and exercise are often recommended for managing hypertension.
Here are some dietary changes that can help lower blood pressure:
- Eating a well-balanced diet such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
- Avoid foods that contain LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein).
- Reduce the intake of sodium and increase calcium and vitamin D in the diet.
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Things to Remember
- Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure in the arteries is consistently elevated.
- It is also known as high blood pressure,
- Blood pressure readings above 120/80 mmHg are generally considered high blood pressure.
- Hypertension is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure with a device called a sphygmomanometer.
- There are two main types: primary (essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension.
Sample Questions
Ques. What do you mean by hypertension? (2 Marks)
Ans. Hypertension is often referred to as high blood pressure. It is mainly a medical condition where blood pressure levels in arteries increase significantly.
Ques. What are the causes of hypertension? (2 Marks)
Ans. The main causes of hypertension can be seen as smoking, being overweight or obese, lack of physical activity, consumption of too much salt, higher amount of alcohol consumption, stress, older age, genetics, family history of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea, adrenal and thyroid disorders.
Ques. What are the different types of Hypertension? (2 Marks)
Ans. The two main types of hypertension are
- Primary Hypertension
- Secondary Hypertension
Ques. Which instruments help in the diagnosis of hypertension? (2 Marks)
Ans. The diagnosis of hypertension is done by measuring the blood pressure levels using a sphygmomanometer.
Ques. What is blood pressure? (1 Mark)
Ans. Blood pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by flowing blood against the walls of blood vessels.
Ques. What is normal blood pressure? (1 Mark)
Ans. A blood pressure between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg is considered to be normal.
Ques. What are the different types of blood pressure? (3 Marks)
Ans. There are two types of blood pressure i.e.
- Systolic blood pressure: The normal range of systolic blood pressure should be between 90-120 mm Hg.
- Diastolic blood pressure: The normal range of diastolic blood pressure should be 60-80 mm Hg.
Ques. What are the symptoms of Hypertension? (3 Marks)
Ans. These are the symptoms of hypertension:
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding nose and uneasiness
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Heart attack
- Visual changes
- Flushing or blushing
- Narrowing of coronary arteries
- Formation of plaques in blood vessels
Ques. What are the various risk factors of hypertension? (5 Marks)
Ans. The risk factors of hypertension can be considered as given below -
- Age: The risk of high blood pressure increases as the person grows older. It has been observed that high blood pressure is more prone to affect men than women; while women tend to develop higher blood pressure levels after the age of 65.
- Family history: The chances of developing high blood pressure increase if any close relative or family member is diagnosed with high blood pressure.
- Overweight or obesity: Overweight or obesity is another major reason for causing high blood pressure. Therefore it's very important to maintain a properly balanced weight.
- Lack of physical activity: Physical inactivity in individuals makes them lazy and inactive. This, in turn, leads to being overweight and obese and is one of the major reasons for developing high blood pressure.
- Consumption of tobacco: Frequent consumption of tobacco and smoking leads to the narrowing of arteries which increases the risk of heart diseases and high blood pressure.
- Drinking too much alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol damages the heart and improper functioning of the heart tends to cause a rise in blood pressure levels.
Ques. How can we prevent hypertension? (3 Marks)
Ans. Hypertension can be prevented by taking a heart-healthy diet, such as
- Avoid consuming alcohol
- Reduce salt intake
- Consume more fruits and vegetables
- Avoid calorie-rich food
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