CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/HYPERTENSION

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/HYPERTENSION

Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. It is the opposite of hypotension. Hypertension is classified as either primary (essential) hypertension or secondary hypertension; About 90–95% of cases are categorized as "primary hypertension," which means high blood pressure with no obvious medical cause.The remaining 5–10% of cases (Secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system.

Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic kidney failure.Moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy. Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve blood pressure control and decrease the risk of associated health complications, although drug treatment may prove necessary in patients for whom lifestyle changes prove ineffective or insufficient.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Chest pain
•  shortness of breath.

CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION: 
• Overweight has often been related to high blood pressure, as more pressure is exerted on the walls of the arteries.
• An inactive or sedentary lifestyle increases the heart rate, which puts extra load on the heart, and may lead to high blood pressure.
• Too much consumption of salt or alcohol, and smoking can lead to heart disease.
• Stress is another factor.
• Age or family history can also be blamed.

• Other conditions like thyroid disease, oral contraceptives, hormonal disorders or kidney also increases the chances of high blood pressure.