Taking Charge of your High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, you might be familiar with this word, or its more common name, high blood pressure. Let’s talk about some important facts that can impact you or your loved ones that might have this condition. Your blood pressure is a measurement of the amount of pressure your blood is putting on your arteries. It can change throughout the day based on our activity level, stress, health, pain, nutrition, sleep and other factors.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is an average blood pressure 140/90 or above. Think of it like a water hose. Normal blood pressure is the water flowing out of the hose at a normal rate and pressure. With high blood pressure, you have placed your thumb partially over the end and that water comes spraying out harder and faster but the volume has decreased . This in turn, makes your heart work harder to pump that oxygen and nutrient rich blood through your body. Over time your heart can become overworked causing this vital muscle to become thick and stiff. Your arteries can also become stiffer from all of the sustained pressure.
What causes hypertension?
Hypertension can be caused by multiple factors, some you cannot control and some you can.
Factors you can not control are age, race and family history. Your risk of hypertension goes up as you get older. African Americans are at a higher risk of developing hypertension and at a younger age. Lastly, hypertension tends to run in families. If you have a parent, grandparent or sibling with hypertension, your risks are higher of developing it yourself.
There are causes that you can control, like tobacco and nicotine use increase your risk. Being overweight is not a guarantee that you will have high blood pressure but it does increase your chance. A diet high in fat and processed foods will increase your chances, as well as high levels of alcohol consumption. Other factors include lack of physical activity, inadequate sleep and high levels of stress all contribute to hypertension.
Uncontrolled health conditions have also been found to cause hypertension like diabetes, kidney disease and sleep apnea. High blood pressure can even be a side effect caused by some medications like some birth control pills, decongestants and over the counter pain relief medications. Always consult your doctor before stopping any medication. If you suspect
your medication could be causing high blood pressure or any concerns, make an appointment to discuss with your doctor first.
What happens if hypertension goes untreated?
Most commonly, untreated hypertension can lead to heart attacks, strokes, dementia, loss of vision, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease and sexual dysfunction. A heart attack can occur because your heart has to work harder to make sure oxygen and nutrients make it to your vital organs against that increased pressure in your vessels. Strokes, dementia, and other cognitive issues can happen when high blood pressure damages the vessels in your head from getting adequate flow of oxygen rich blood to your brain. Aneurysms are also dangerous events that occur when the vessel walls become weak from prolonged pressure and burst. Untreated hypertension can cause pressure on the optic nerve leading to vision loss. Moving down the body, the high pressure on your kidneys leads to damage and possible failure. Because of the damaged vessels and impaired blood flow, untreated hypertension also causes erectile dysfunction and pain,cramping and numbness in your legs.
How to manage your hypertension?
First, make an appointment with your primary care provider and make a plan of care. It is important to take your medications as prescribed and communicate with your provider if you have any questions or concerns. Check your blood pressure at the same time every day and keep a log. This helps you and your provider know if you’re on the right track of care. Start making sustainable changes to your lifestyle to improve the conditions that are in your control such as stress, diet, exercise, smoking cessation and other advised lifestyle modifications None of the changes are easy or happen over night. Choosing one habit a month to change and actively select options that improve your health.
Preventative care is always the best option. If you have concerns, please contact your primary care provider to discuss your options and the best preventative steps for you.
Jennifer M. Cruz, RN