Better Health Centre |+| Symptoms and Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure

 

Must know FACTS about…the Symptoms and Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure!

High blood pressure is also known as hypertension, and it affects nearly 80 million people in the US today. 

High blood pressure is one of the most common of cardiovascular diseases in industrialized countries, and it is the leading cause of both stroke and heart attack. 

This means that one in four Americans is affected with high blood pressure or hypertension. In recently conducted studies, statistics show that many people do not even know that they have high blood pressure and therefore, they do not get the treatments they may need.

In order to better educate people on high blood pressure, many efforts are being taken to create awareness of the condition.  Many doctors, especially cardiologists are now stressing the importance of checking high blood pressure daily, to help prevent the condition from developing into heart disease or even a stroke.

Many people do not recognize the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure, because the symptoms are often mistaken as symptoms of normal physical ailments, most of the time - stress.  In order for high blood pressure to be detected, you must see a physician, and monitor your blood pressure regularly.

Some symptoms of high blood pressure may include:

• excessive sweating
• muscle cramps
• weakness and fatigue
• frequent urination
• irregular heartbeat

 

In more severe untreated cases of high blood pressure, the patient can experience chest pains or tightness near the heart, nausea, swelling of the legs, and in some cases memory loss.

Many of the above symptoms will not typically be apparent until the high blood pressure, or hypertension, has advanced to a more serious stage in the disease.

This stage can often be life threatening. 

Most people with high blood pressure do not have any symptoms at all, and by not knowing of their condition, they could continue to do things that may further deteriorate their condition. What is most alarming is that high blood pressure can virtually affect anyone. Although there are people who are more likely to develop high blood pressure, almost anyone can get it.

The difference between diseases caused by a virus or bacteria is different from high blood pressure because high blood pressure is more of a lifestyle problem.  People who eat a diet consisting of foods rich in saturated fat and cholesterol are at great risk of developing high blood pressure. Diets high in salt and regular alcohol consumption can also increase the risk.

Age can also be a factor in those at risk of developing high blood pressure.

The main reason is because the older we get, the harder it is for our bodies to process fat and cholesterol.  Statistics have shown that high blood pressure most often occurs in people who are over 35 years of age. 

Men over 35 years old run even a higher risk than women.  High blood pressure is most common in women after menopause.  People who have family members with high blood pressure may also run a higher risk of developing the condition.

So maybe now is the time for you to start thinking about investing in your own heart rate monitor.

 

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High Blood Pressure Risk Factors and Symptoms

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