Causes of High Blood Pressure/Hypertension

By Rishen Afakpo J. J.

What Causes High Blood Pressure/Hypertension

Blood pressure is the measure of the forces of blood pushing against blood vessels wall. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure also known as “Hypertension” is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood out to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or Arteriosclerosis, to stroke, kidney disease, and to the development of heart failure.

What is normal blood pressure?

A blood pressure reading has a top number(systolic) and bottom number(diastolic). The range are;

Ø Normal; less than 120/80 mmhg

Ø Prehypertension; 120 - 139/80 – 89 mmhg

Ø Stage 1 high BP; 140 -159/90 – 99 mmhg

Ø Stage 2 high BP; 160>/100>

Ø High blood pressure in people over age 60 years 150>/90> mmhg.

A consultant cardiologist and the chief Medical Director of Lagos Executive Cardiovascular clinic, Dr. Folasade Olaitan Alli has on 29^th June 2017 raised the alarm over increased death rate among Nigeria youths due to heart-related problems. She said while many Nigerians do not check there blood pressure to know there numbers, the attitude was more common among youths, leading to increased number of the age group being hypertensive.

People whose blood pressure is above the normal range should consult their doctors about steps to take to lower it.

What causes High Blood Pressure/Hypertension

This include the following; Smoking, being overweighted or obese, lack of physical activities, too much salt in your diet, too much alcohol consumption(more than 1 to 2 drinks per day), stress, older age, genetics family history of the high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, adrenal and thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, diabetes, insufficient intake of Potassium, calcium and magnessium.

Essential Hypertension

In this type of hypertension, the underlying causes cannot be determined. These remain mysterious, it has been linked to certain risk factors. It tend to run in families and is more likely to affect men than women, age and race also play a role here. Its also influence by diet and lifestyle; people who consume more salt per capita than anyone else in the world have high incidence of essential hypertension e.g Northern Island of Japan, as contrasted with people who consume less or added no salt in there diets.

Secondary Hypertension

When the direct causes for hypertension can be identified, the condition is describe as “Secondary Hypertension”. This can be triggered by tumors or other abnormalities that causes the adrenal glands(small glands that sit atop of kidneys) to secrete excess amounts of the hormones that elevates blood pressure. Birth control pills specifically those containing estrogen and pregnancy can boost blood pressure, as can medications that constrict blood vessels(vasoconstriction medicaments). Among the known causes of secondary hypertension, kidney disease rank the highest.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure/Hypertension

One of the most dangerous aspects of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. In fact, nearly one-third of people who have high blood pressure don’t know it. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is through regular checkups. And this is important if you have a close relative who has high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, includes; Severe headache, fatigue or confusion, vision problem, chest pains, difficulties in breathing, irregular heartbeats(pulse rate is high), blood in urine, pounding in your chest, neck or ears. If you have any of this symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

Complication of High Blood Pressure/Hypertension

Hypertension if left untreated results to several health problems which includes;

·        Arterosclerosis contribute to coronary artery diseases

·        People with untreated hypertension are four to six times likely to develop stroke; which occurs when blood flow on area in the brain is cut off.

·        May cause heart diseases.

·        May cause heart disease, kidney disease and kidney failure.

·        Can affect your eyesight, causing damage to the blood vessels in the retina known as “Hypertensive Retinopathy.

·        It worsening development of diabetes complication

·        It can be a sign of Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related problem that can be fatal.

·        It can lead to erectile dysfunction. But some drugs for treating high blood pressure can actually be the cause as well.