HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure (HBD), which is also known as hypertension is extremely dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood out to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, to stroke, kidney disease, and to heart failure.

There are two different types of high blood pressure, Primary and secondary.

  • Primary hypertension is the most common type; it’s also known as essential hypertension. Usually in this case there is no known cause for high blood pressure, it develops over many years. Probably a result of your lifestyle, environment and the changes of your body as you age.
  • Secondary hypertension is usually caused by a health issue or a medication that you’re taking. Many health complications can lead to you having high blood pressure; Thyroid/Adrnal gland problems, kidney problems, Sleep apnea and some different types of medications.

Some people refer to high blood pressure as the “silent killer”. Most of the time there aren’t any obvious symptoms, which is why it is extremely important to check your blood pressure. Some people experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath with high blood pressure. However, those symptoms can mimic many other things (serious or non-serious). Usually, these symptoms occur once blood pressure has reached a dangerously high level over a period of time. Some lifestyle choices that you make and certain physical traits can cause you to have a greater risk of developing hypertension. Leaving high blood pressure untreated causes damage to your circulatory system, opening the door to heart attack, stroke and other health threats. Finding out you have high blood pressure while all at the same time hearing people call it the “silent killer” may be a little scary, but there is HOPE! Yes you’ve heard correctly, there is no cure for hypertension but with the proper care and management you can live a long and healthy life. Always remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!