Overview

High blood pressure also known as hypertension is the steady rise in blood pressure within your blood vessels (arteries). People can have hypertension without being aware of it. Therefore that makes it even more dangerous. Several individuals in the United States have hypertension and are oblivious. Different risk factors contribute to this condition.

They include: Age, obesity, family history, sedentary lifestyle, high-sodium diet, ethnicity, and excessive alcohol intake. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is represented as two numbers: systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number).

The normal blood pressure reading for adults is 120/80. There are two stages of high blood pressure: Stage 1 – 130/80 -139/89. Stage 2 – 140/90

Symptoms

High blood pressure (hypertension) is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” due to the absence of symptoms. However, if left unchecked, it can eventually lead to major health issues such as heart disease (heart attack), stroke, and renal disease.

• Headaches – Especially in the morning, coupled with dizziness, nausea, or impaired vision.
• Shortness of breath – The sensation of being out of breath during physical exercise
• Tightness in the chest.
• Fatigue – Regardless of physical or mental exertion on that particular day.

*NOTE: These are not exclusive to high blood pressure and might be linked to a variety of other medical issues. Periodic checks of blood pressure are the only method to determine if you have hypertension.