Review High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition in which the prolonged force of blood hitting the walls of the arteries is high enough to eventually cause health problems such as heart disease. Blood pressure depends on both the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the resistance put up by the arteries. The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure. Blood pressure is given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It is made up of two numbers.

• Górna liczba (ciśnienie skurczowe). Pierwsza, górna liczba mierzy ciśnienie w tętnicach podczas bicia serca.
• Bottom number (diastolic pressure). The second, lower number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected. Once you know you have high blood pressure, you can work with your doctor to control it. Symptomy Most people with hypertension have no symptoms, even if their blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels. A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms are not specific and usually do not occur until high blood pressure reaches a severe or life-threatening stage. When to go to the doctor You are likely to have your blood pressure measured as part of a routine doctor's visit. Starting at age 18, you should ask your doctor to measure your blood pressure at least once every two years. If you are 40 or older, or between the ages of 18 and 39 with a high risk of high blood pressure, ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading every year. Blood pressure should be checked in both arms to see if there is a difference. It is important to use a cuff of the correct size. Your doctor will likely recommend more frequent checks if you have been diagnosed with hypertension or have other cardiovascular risk factors. Children ages 3 and older usually have their blood pressure measured as part of their annual check-ups. If you don't go to the doctor regularly, you can take advantage of free blood pressure checks at health fairs or other locations in your community. You can also find devices that will measure your blood pressure for free at some stores. Public blood pressure monitors, such as those found in pharmacies, can provide helpful information about blood pressure, but they have some limitations. The accuracy of these devices depends on several factors, such as correct cuff size and proper use of the device. Ask your doctor for advice on the use of commonly available blood pressure monitors. Cause There are two types of high blood pressure. Primary (essential) hypertension In most adults, there is no identifiable cause of hypertension. This type of hypertension, called primary (essential) hypertension, tends to develop gradually over many years. Secondary hypertension Some people have high blood pressure caused by an underlying disease. This type of hypertension, called secondary hypertension, tends to appear suddenly and causes higher blood pressure than primary hypertension. Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension, including:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• kidney diseases
• Adrenal tumors
• Thyroid problems
• Some blood vessel defects you are born with (congenital)
• Some medications, such as birth control pills, cold medicines, antifungal drugs, over-the-counter painkillers and some prescription drugs Illegal drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine

Complications Excessive pressure on arterial walls caused by high blood pressure can damage blood vessels as well as organs. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it remains uncontrolled, the greater the damage. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications, including:

• Heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure can cause the arteries to harden and thicken (atherosclerosis), which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or other complications.
• Tętniak. Zwiększone ciśnienie krwi może spowodować osłabienie i wybrzuszenie naczyń krwionośnych, tworząc tętniaka. Pęknięcie tętniaka może zagrażać życiu.
• Heart failure. Aby pompować krew wbrew wyższemu ciśnieniu w naczyniach, serce musi pracować ciężej. Powoduje to pogrubienie ścian komory pompującej serca (przerost lewej komory). W końcu zgrubiały mięsień może mieć trudności z pompowaniem wystarczającej ilości krwi, aby zaspokoić potrzeby organizmu, co może prowadzić do niewydolności serca.
• Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in the kidneys. This can prevent these organs from functioning normally.
• Thickened, narrowed or burst blood vessels in the eyes. This can result in loss of vision.
• Metabolic syndrome. Zespół ten to grupa zaburzeń metabolizmu Twojego organizmu, w tym zwiększony rozmiar talii, wysoki poziom trójglicerydów, obniżony poziom cholesterolu lipoproteinowego o dużej gęstości (HDL) ("dobrego" cholesterolu), wysokie ciśnienie krwi i wysoki poziom insuliny. Te warunki zwiększają prawdopodobieństwo wystąpienia cukrzycy, chorób serca i udaru.
• Problems with memory or comprehension. Niekontrolowane wysokie ciśnienie krwi może również wpływać na zdolność do myślenia, zapamiętywania i uczenia się. Problemy z pamięcią lub rozumieniem pojęć są częstsze u osób z wysokim ciśnieniem krwi.
• Demencja. Zwężone lub zablokowane tętnice mogą ograniczać przepływ krwi do mózgu, co prowadzi do pewnego rodzaju demencji (demencja naczyniowa). Udar, który przerywa przepływ krwi do mózgu, również może powodować demencję naczyniową.

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