Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition where blood consistently pushes against the walls of your arteries with too much force. Think of it like water flowing through a garden hose - when the pressure is too high, it can damage the hose over time. In your body, this excessive pressure can harm your blood vessels and organs.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The systolic pressure is the force when your heart beats and pushes blood through your arteries. The diastolic pressure is the force when your heart rests between beats. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is diagnosed when readings consistently reach 130 over 80 or higher.
Hypertension is often called the silent killer because it typically has no noticeable symptoms, yet it can cause serious damage to your organs over time. Most people with high blood pressure feel completely normal, which is why it often goes undetected until a routine medical checkup. While it silently damages your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes, you may not realize anything is wrong until serious complications develop.
Untreated hypertension can lead to serious health complications. It significantly increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems. The constant high pressure damages blood vessels throughout your body, affecting vital organs. It can cause heart failure, brain damage, aneurysms, and peripheral artery disease. However, the good news is that early detection and proper treatment can prevent most of these complications.
The good news is that hypertension can often be prevented and managed through lifestyle changes. Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, eating a healthy diet low in sodium, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking are all crucial steps. Managing stress, limiting alcohol, and taking prescribed medications as directed by your doctor are equally important. Regular blood pressure monitoring helps track your progress and ensures your treatment plan is working effectively.