🫀 Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
⚕️ What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. Over time, this can damage your heart, blood vessels, and other organs, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems.
🔎 Symptoms of Hypertension
Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because many people have no symptoms. However, severe or long-term hypertension may cause:
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🤕 Headaches
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😮💨 Shortness of breath
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😵 Dizziness or lightheadedness
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👀 Vision problems
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🫀 Chest pain
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🩸 Nosebleeds (rare but serious)
⚠️ Most people do not notice symptoms until complications occur, so regular check-ups are crucial.
⚠️ Causes & Risk Factors
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⚖️ Obesity or overweight
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🍔 Unhealthy diet (high salt, sugar, and fat)
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🏋️♂️ Physical inactivity
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🚬 Smoking and excessive alcohol
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🧬 Family history of hypertension
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😴 Stress and poor sleep
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🩺 Chronic conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or hormonal disorders
🩺 Diagnosis of Hypertension
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🩸 Blood pressure measurement:
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Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg
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Elevated: 120–129 / <80 mmHg
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Hypertension Stage 1: 130–139 / 80–89 mmHg
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Hypertension Stage 2: ≥140 / ≥90 mmHg
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📈 Regular monitoring is recommended for adults, especially those at risk
💊 Treatment of Hypertension
Treatment depends on severity and individual health:
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🥗 Lifestyle changes:
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Healthy diet (low salt, high fruits/vegetables)
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Regular exercise
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Maintain healthy weight
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Limit alcohol and quit smoking
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💊 Medications:
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Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, etc.
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🩺 Regular monitoring: Blood pressure checks to track progress
⚠️ Hypertension management is lifelong; stopping medication without a doctor’s guidance can be dangerous.
🛡️ Prevention Tips
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🏃♂️ Exercise regularly (at least 30 min/day)
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🥗 Eat a balanced diet (DASH diet recommended)
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⚖️ Maintain healthy body weight
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💧 Limit alcohol and avoid smoking
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😴 Manage stress and ensure good sleep
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🩺 Monitor blood pressure regularly
🌟 Outlook
With early detection, lifestyle changes, and proper treatment, hypertension can be effectively managed, preventing serious complications and promoting a healthy, long life.