1. What is hypertension known for?
Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It can lead to serious health complications and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and sometimes death. Blood pressure is the force a person's blood exerts on the walls of their blood vessels.
2. What are the symptoms of hypertension?
If your blood pressure is very high, you may have certain symptoms to watch out for, including:
- Severe headaches.
- Bleeding from the nose.
- Fatigue or confusion.
- Problems with vision.
- Chest pain.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Blood in the urine.
3. Who is affected by hypertension?
Hypertension affects about 29 percent of adults in the United States. The prevalence of the condition increases with age, and about 63 percent of people over the age of 60 are affected. In African-Americans, the condition is more common, starts at a younger age, and is more severe than in other populations.
4. What are the types of hypertension?
Primary: High blood pressure that is not associated with another medical condition.
Secondary: Another medical condition that causes high blood pressure, usually occurring in the kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system. Examples include: Sleep problems, such as sleep apnea.
5. How is hypertension diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose hypertension by checking your blood pressure. This is a very simple test that takes only a few minutes. Usually an inflatable arm cuff with a meter is used. A doctor or other medical professional will move the pressure cuff to the bare arm just above the elbow.
6. How can hypertension be reduced?
- Lose weight and watch your waist.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Reduce the amount of salt (sodium) in your diet.
- Limit alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Reduce stress.
7. What are the complications of hypertension?
- Heart attack
- Stroke of the brain.
- Aneurysm.
- Heart failure.
- Kidney damage.
- Loss of vision.
- Peripheral artery disease.
- Metabolic syndrome.
8. Can hypertension be treated naturally?
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for high blood pressure, but you can take steps to manage it even without medication. Here are 7 ways to lower blood pressure naturally: Exercise! Regular exercise is great for your overall well-being, and can also help lower blood pressure.
9. What does a blood pressure test look like?
Your doctor will also want to perform tests that check other markers to pinpoint the cause of your high blood pressure. These may include: Blood tests. Blood tests are often done to check levels of potassium, sodium, creatinine, blood glucose, and total cholesterol and triglycerides.
10. How long can you live with hypertension?
If left untreated, blood pressure of 180/120 or higher results in an 80% chance of death within one year, with an average survival rate of ten months. Long-term, untreated hypertension can also lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness and kidney disease.
11. What is the most common form of hypertension?
The most common form of hypertension is primary or essential hypertension. Most people who suffer from this type of hypertension develop it over time, as they age.
12. Can drinking water lower blood pressure?
We encourage you to drink water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated. Along with helping to lower blood pressure, it can help lubricate the body, reducing the risk of conditions such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections, and can help improve brain function.
