High Blood Pressure

Extended high blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply the kidneys with blood to thicken and become narrow, resulting in kidney damage. High blood pressure can also cause the blood vessels in the eye to bleed. This condition, known as retinopathy, can result in blindness. Persons with high blood pressure are also at a much greater risk for stroke. When blood pressure is very high, blood vessels can weaken and bleed in the brain. A blood clot can also form in one of the narrowed arteries. Both of these conditions can cause a stroke.

Primary or essential blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms. In fact, it is possible for someone to have high blood pressure for years without knowing they have this disease. That is why it is important to be tested for high blood pressure. The device used to take blood pressure readings is called a sphygmomanometer, or more simply, a blood pressure cuff. Most times, a diagnosis of high blood pressure is made on the basis of two or three blood pressure readings taken on several different days.

Some risk factors for high blood pressure, such as heredity and age cannot be controlled. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can control other risk factors, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and diet. It is important to eat a diet low in fat and salt, maintain a healthy weight, adopt a regular exercise program, quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption.

For some people, these lifestyle changes are not enough to control high blood pressure. It may be necessary to use medications. Diuretics, also known as water pills rid the body of excess water and sodium. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors cause the blood vessels to relax and widen, lowering blood pressure. Beta blockers decrease the heart rate and makes it beat with less force. Calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers vasodilators, angiotensin antagonists, and alpha-beta blockers are medications also used to control high blood pressure.

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