Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, which is why it's known as the Silent Killer. However, in some cases, you may experience headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nosebleeds.
There are many factors that can contribute to hypertension, including age, family history, obesity, lack of exercise, and unhealthy diet.
You can reduce your risk of hypertension by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake, and not smoking.
Hypertension can be treated with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet modification, as well as medication prescribed by your doctor.
Lifestyle changes that can help manage hypertension include exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet that's low in salt and rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol intake, and quitting smoking.
While hypertension cannot be cured, it can be effectively managed with the right treatment plan and lifestyle changes.
There are several different classes of medications used to treat hypertension, including diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
It's recommended that you check your blood pressure at least once a year, or more frequently if you have hypertension or are at risk of developing it.
A diet that's high in salt, saturated fat, and processed foods can contribute to hypertension, while a diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help manage it.
The DASH diet is a dietary approach to stop hypertension, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. It can help manage hypertension by reducing salt intake and improving overall nutrition.
Hypertension becomes more common with age, as the arteries become less flexible and more prone to plaque buildup.
Pregnancy can cause a temporary form of hypertension known as gestational hypertension, which typically resolves after delivery. However, some women may develop preeclampsia, a more severe form of hypertension that can be dangerous for both the mother and baby.
Primary hypertension is the most common form of hypertension, and it has no identifiable cause. Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease or thyroid problems.