What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force with which blood flows through arteries and blood vessels. The greater the stress, the higher the blood pressure reading.
When your arteries are healthy, blood flows through your body more easily because there is less resistance to blood flow. But if your arteries are too narrow or stiff, the resistance to blood flow will be higher. Your heart then has to work harder to pump blood throughout your body, causing your blood pressure to rise.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic and diastolic, expressed as a fraction. Normal blood pressure has a score below 120/80 mm Hg, often referred to as "120 over 80."
Systolic blood pressure refers to the first or highest number used to calculate blood pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
Diastolic blood pressure refers to the second or bottom number used to measure blood pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. Write your systolic value over your diastolic value to find your overall blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a common medical problem that can have a negative impact on your health if left untreated.
It increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. It has also been linked to complications of dementia and sexual dysfunction.
Number range
For adults, healthy blood pressure levels are considered below 120/80 mmHg.
If you see numbers fluctuating higher than this, the following diagnoses may be made:
- Elevated blood pressure : above 120/80 to 130/80
- Stage 1 hypertension : 130/80 but less than 140/90
- Stage 2 hypertension : 140/90 or higher
- Hypertension emergency : If systolic blood pressure is 180 or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure is 120 or higher, go to the emergency room or call 9-1-1 immediately.
Both stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension can be effectively treated with blood pressure-lowering medications, diet, and lifestyle changes. Your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of interventions.
If you have a family history of high blood pressure, your plan may include medication, even if your blood pressure seems stable.
Your readings are consistent with those of a hypertensive emergency, or if you are exhibiting symptoms of a hypertensive emergency, you will need to go to the emergency room for treatment immediately.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
High blood pressure doesn't always cause symptoms, which is why it can be dangerous.
It is sometimes called the "silent killer" because it can reach life-threatening levels without many obvious warning signs.
If you do have signs or symptoms of high blood pressure, they likely won't appear until your blood pressure is very high.
The following are more likely signs of a hypertensive crisis, including symptoms such as:
- severe headache
- chest pain
- Changed or blurred vision
- nosebleed
- fatigue
- insanity
- Trouble breathing or taking deep breaths
- arrhythmia
- Overall feeling of discomfort
The only sure way to know if your blood pressure is high is to get it checked regularly.
When high blood pressure requires immediate care
Blood pressure above 180/120 always requires immediate medical attention. But even if your number is lower, you may need urgent care depending on your other health conditions.
hypertensive crisis
If you experience any of the above symptoms and have a high blood pressure reading, try to stay quiet and retest your numbers after five minutes.
However, if you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, or tightness in your arms, you should seek medical care immediately at an emergency room.
While high blood pressure itself doesn't cause dizziness, don't ignore it if you suddenly feel dizzy or light-headed, especially if it's accompanied by any of the other symptoms listed above. This may be a warning sign of a stroke, which may be caused by a hypertensive crisis.
Hypertensive urgency occurs when systolic blood pressure is above 180 or diastolic blood pressure is above 120, but there are no other signs of acute organ damage. A hypertensive emergency occurs when your systolic blood pressure is 180 or higher, and/or your diastolic blood pressure is 120 or higher, and you have other symptoms that indicate organ damage.
These can be life-threatening medical emergencies that can have serious consequences on other organs and body systems.
Pregnant
As with many conditions, pregnancy often has different medical care guidelines. Blood volume may increase by 20-100% compared to pre-pregnancy levels, sometimes causing increased blood pressure.
Treatment for elevated blood pressure during pregnancy differs from treatment during non-pregnancy. Other pregnancy complications can also cause blood pressure changes, such as preeclampsia, which can be life-threatening for both mother and baby.
Obstetricians and gynecologists and other health care providers on the prenatal care team will provide instructions for care related to blood pressure, headaches, or other risk factors.
If you are pregnant and suddenly feel unwell or develop a severe headache, nosebleeds, or any other symptoms of high blood pressure, go to the emergency room right away.
Risk of hypertensive emergency
Delaying medical care during a hypertensive emergency can result in death or permanent and severe damage to organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys.
Excessive pressure on artery walls from high blood pressure, even for just a few minutes, can cause damage.
Stroke
High blood pressure can cause the arteries that carry blood to the brain to become blocked or ruptured, leading to a stroke. When a stroke occurs, brain cells die rapidly from a lack of oxygen.
If a stroke is not treated within minutes, it can cause brain damage that can lead to speech problems, physical disability, and loss of other basic functions. It can also be fatal.
heart attack
High blood pressure can damage heart health and lead to myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack. When blood pressure is too high, the arteries become less flexible and cut off the flow of oxygen and blood back to the heart.
Without access to oxygen, the heart muscle becomes damaged. If this condition continues without emergency medical intervention, it can be fatal.
Other risks
Uncontrolled or untreated hypertensive emergencies may also cause:
- Aneurysm
- heart failure
- kidney damage
- Damage to blood vessels in the eyes
- Brain Injury
- die
When to go to the emergency room
Simple high blood pressure, even if the blood pressure is elevated, may not be a sign of an immediate medical emergency.
However, when blood pressure is very high (180/120) or associated symptoms occur, even just a general feeling of discomfort, nausea, or fatigue combined with very high blood pressure, it is important to reassess the blood pressure and get it checked out.
Emergency room visits can be expensive and time-consuming, but not acting quickly enough can have serious consequences.
Ask your doctor for personalized guidelines on what threshold you need to go to the emergency room, but in general, high blood pressure is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other physical problems with stroke symptoms (weakness in the arm, numbness on one side). as far as the matter is concerned) constitutes a medical emergency.
