IF BP IS HIGH

The National Institutes of Health cite normal blood pressure to be below 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic.

The guidelines state that for blood pressures above a figure of 115/75 mm Hg, every rise of 20/10 mm Hg doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease.
symptoms
Most people with high blood pressure will not experience any symptoms, which is why people often call hypertension the “silent killer.”
However, once blood pressure reaches about 180/120 mm Hg, it becomes a hypertensive crisis, which is a medical emergency.
At this stage, a person may have:

• a headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• blurred or double vision
• nosebleeds
• heart palpitations
• breathlessness

Hormonal factors mean that the risk of high blood pressure may be different in males and females.
Factors that can increase the risk of high blood pressure in females include:

• pregnancy
• menopause
• the use of birth control pills

During pregnancy, high blood pressure can be a sign of preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous condition that can affect the woman and her unborn baby.
Symptoms of preeclampsia include:

• headaches
• vision changes
• abdominal pain
• swelling due to edema

All women should follow the guidelines for screening and attend all health checks, especially during pregnancy.
Symptoms in teens
Teenagers can develop high blood pressure due to obesity or an underlying medical condition.
Possible medical factors include:

• aspects of metabolic syndrome, such as type 2 diabetes
• kidney disease
• endocrine disease, which affects the hormones
• vascular disease, which affects the blood vessels
• a neurological condition

These conditions may have symptoms of their own.
The symptoms of high blood pressure, if they occur, will be the same as for other groups.
Symptoms in children
High blood pressure can affect children. Having obesity and diabetes increases the risk, but it can also be a sign of:

• a tumor
• heart problems
• kidney problems
• thyroid problems
• a genetic condition, such as Cushing’s syndrome

As with adults, high blood pressure often does not cause symptoms in children.
However, if symptoms do occur, they may include:

• a headache
• fatigue
• blurred vision
• nosebleeds

They may also have signs of another condition.
Symptoms in babies
Newborns and very young babies can sometimes have high blood pressure due to an underlying health condition, such as kidney or heart disease.
Symptoms may include:

• a failure to thrive
• seizures
• irritability
• lethargy
• respiratory distress

Other symptoms will depend on the condition that is causing the high blood pressure.
Causes
High blood pressure can occur when certain changes happen in the body or if a person is born with specific genetic features that cause a health condition.
It can affect people with:

• obesity
• type 2 diabetes
• kidney disease
• obstructive sleep apnea
• lupus
• scleroderma
• underactive or overactive thyroid
• congenital conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly, or pheochromocytoma

Sometimes, there is no apparent cause. In this case, a doctor will diagnose primary hypertension.
Consuming a high fat diet, carrying excess weight, drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking tobacco, and the use of some medications also increase the risk.


How to lower blood pressure
Treatment will depend on several factors, including:

• how high the blood pressure is
• the risk of cardiovascular disease or a stroke

The doctor will recommend different treatments as blood pressure increases. For slightly high blood pressure, they may suggest making lifestyle changes and monitoring the blood pressure.
If blood pressure is high, they will recommend medication. The options may change over time, according to how severe the hypertension is and whether complications arise, such as kidney disease. Some people may need a combination of several different medications.
Medications
Conventional drugs for treating high blood pressure include:
1) Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the actions of some hormones that regulate blood pressure, such as angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes the arteries to constrict and increases blood volume, resulting in increased blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors can reduce the blood supply to the kidneys, making them less effective. As a result, it is necessary for people taking ACE inhibitors to have regular blood tests.
People should not use ACE inhibitors if they:

• are pregnant
• have a condition that affects the blood supply to the kidneys

ACE inhibitors may cause the following side effects, which usually resolve after a few days:

• dizziness
• fatigue
• weakness
• headaches
• a persistent dry cough

If the side effects are persistent or too unpleasant to manage, a doctor may prescribe an angiotensin II receptor antagonist instead.
These alternative medications often cause fewer side effects, but they may include dizziness, headaches, and increased potassium levels in the blood.
2) Calcium channel blockers
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) aim to decrease calcium levels in the blood vessels. This will relax the vascular smooth muscle, causing the muscle to contract less forcefully, the arteries to widen, and blood pressure to go down. CCBs may not always be suitable for people with a history of heart disease, liver disease, or circulation issues. A doctor can advise on taking CCBs and which type of CCB is safe to use.
The following side effects may occur, but they usually resolve after a few days:

• redness of the skin, generally on the cheeks or neck
• headaches
• swollen ankles and feet
• dizziness
• fatigue
• skin rash
• swollen abdomen, in rare cases
• Anybody who experiences these symptoms should see their doctor immediately.
  Symptoms in women

Learn more here about calcium channel blockers.
3) Thiazide diuretics
Thiazide diuretics help the kidneys get rid of sodium and water. This lowers blood volume and pressure.
The following side effects can occur, and some of them may persist:

• low blood potassium, which can affect heart and kidney function
• impaired glucose tolerance
• erectile dysfunction

People taking thiazide diuretics should have regular blood and urine tests to monitor their blood sugar and potassium levels.
4) Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers were once popular for treating hypertension, but doctors only tend to prescribe them now when other treatments have not been successful.
Beta-blockers slow the heart rate and reduce the force of the heartbeat, causing a drop in blood pressure.
Side effects may include:

• fatigue
• cold hands and feet
• slow heartbeat
• nausea
• diarrhea
• Less common side effects are:
• disturbed sleep
• nightmares
• erectile dysfunction

Beta-blockers are often the standard medication for a person with very high blood pressure, known as a hypertensive crisis.
5) Renin inhibitors
Aliskiren (Tekturna, Rasilez) reduces the production of renin, an enzyme that the kidneys produce.
Renin helps produce a hormone that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure. Reducing this hormone causes the blood vessels to widen and blood pressure to fall.
This drug is relatively new, and healthcare professionals are still determining its optimal use and dosage.
Possible side effects include:

• diarrhea
• dizziness
• flu-like symptoms
• fatigue
• a cough

It is essential to read the packaging of any medication to check for interactions with other drugs.
Find out more detail here about blood pressure medications.
Diet
Managing the diet can be an effective way of both preventing and treating high blood pressure.
Plant-based foods
A healthful, balanced diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, vegetable and omega oils, and good quality, unrefined carbohydrates, such as whole grains. People who include animal products in their diet should trim all the fat off and avoid processed meats.
Lowering salt intake
Experts recommend reducing salt consumption and increasing potassium intake to manage or prevent high blood pressure. Limiting salt intake to less than 5–6 grams per day could help improve cardiovascular health and reduce systolic blood pressure by 5.6 mm Hg in people with hypertension.
Healthful fats
In moderation, plant sources of fats, such as avocados, nuts, olive oil, and omega oils, can be healthful. People should limit their intake of saturated fats and trans fats, common in animal-sourced and processed foods.
The DASH diet
Health experts recommend the DASH diet for people with high blood pressure. The DASH diet focuses on an eating plan that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and low-fat dairy products.
Which foods are good for reducing blood pressure? Find out here.
Alcohol
Some studies indicate that consuming some alcohol may help lower blood pressure. However, others report the opposite, noting that even drinking a moderate amount might increase blood pressure levels.
People who regularly drink more than moderate amounts of alcohol will almost always experience elevated blood pressure levels.
Caffeine
Studies into the relationship between caffeine and blood pressure have produced conflicting results. A report published in 2017 concluded that a moderate intake of coffee appears to be safe for people with high blood pressure.
Home remedies
The AHA recommend a range of lifestyle adjustments that can help reduce blood pressure, such as:

• managing stress
• quitting smoking
• eating healthfully
• getting exercise
• following any treatment plan the doctor prescribes

Discuss any planned lifestyle changes with a healthcare professional before introducing them.