A Complete Guide on Hypertension, Causes, and Symptoms
Hypertension is one of the most common conditions to affect adults in the UK. It affects roughly one in three adults and many have no idea they have the condition. There are estimated to be about five million adults in England alone who have hypertension, but have yet to even be diagnosed, showing the importance of frequent blood pressure checks. It is characterized by abnormally high blood pressure readings that remain chronically elevated and can lead to heart and organ dysfunction if left untreated. The information below is a guide into hypertension, some signs and symptoms that could appear, and when to see a doctor.
What are the Stages of Hypertension?
It is best to be within normal limits for blood pressure so that the heart can be as efficient as possible. With long standing hypertension that is not managed or poorly managed, it can lead to the heart not functioning normally. Normal blood pressure includes a measurement of 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic and lower. Most commonly, blood pressure readings above these values lead to diagnosed hypertension. Here are the stages of hypertension with some information to consider.
- Prehypertension. This is the stage where blood pressure is slightly elevated and measures 120-139 mmHg systolic and/or 80-89 mmHg diastolic. Generally this stage requires some kind of lifestyle modification such as eating a healthier diet, daily exercise, stopping smoking, and reducing stress. Regardless of where you are within this stage, taking necessary lifestyle changes could have a major impact to avoid further treatment.
- Hypertension Stage 1. This stage of hypertension is when blood pressure measures 140-159 mmHg systolic and/or 90-99 mmHg diastolic. This is usually when you are likely to need medication if lifestyle changes have not been helpful. Often medication works well in this stage and typically can bring it down to normal levels. There are a wide range of blood pressure medication options that your doctor can try to help you manage this condition.
- Hypertension Stage 2. This stage of hypertension is when the blood pressure is at 160 mmHg systolic and/or 100 mmHg or higher. Stage 2 is typically more dangerous and can be a sign of additional issues going on inside the body. There is a chance that you could be prescribed a couple different medications to lower this to normal levels.If your blood pressure remains above 160 mmHg systolic or 100 mmHg diastolic, it could be considered what is called hypertensive emergency and may require further evaluation with your doctor immediately.
What are the Common Symptoms of Hypertension
Hypertension is one of the trickiest conditions to monitor based simply from symptoms alone. This is because high blood pressure does not have any obvious warning signs or symptoms that are specific to the condition. Generally, hypertension is diagnosed and discovered during some kind of medical examination. Except for when blood pressure is severely elevated, symptoms tend to be non-existent and minimal. There are roughly 14.4 million adults with hypertension in the UK, and 9 million of this population have officially been diagnosed. This shows how tricky it is to monitor blood pressure simply off symptoms alone, because more people would be on some form of treatment if there were symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at symptoms of significant hypertension and what to be aware of if this occurs.
What are the Symptoms of Significant Hypertension?
While mild cases are typically unnoticed, more significant hypertension can show symptoms that suggest something is not right. Here are a few signs and symptoms to monitor if you have severely high blood pressure.
- Chest pain. One symptom of significant hypertension is chest pain. This often occurs when the heart is unable to meet oxygen demands and can also be a sign of a serious condition. If you experience chest pain at any time, you should seek medical attention immediately.
- Frequent Nosebleeds. Nosebleeds can be a sign that blood pressure is elevated. When pressure in the blood vessels increases, the walls can burst and cause bleeding and the small vessels in the nasal cavity can be affected.
- Chronic Headaches. Similar to nose bleeding, when pressure increases in the head it can cause throbbing within the small blood vessels. Headaches can range from tension to severe migraines.
- Mental Confusion. One particular sign of blood pressure that is severely elevated is mental confusion. Typically this should be a cause to be checked out but can also be a concern for stroke as well.
- Irregular Heartbeat. When blood pressure remains significantly high for a long period, it can lead to heartbeat irregularities. This often includes atrial fibrillation and is a reason to be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.
When To Seek Medical Care for High Blood Pressure?
One of the most challenging tasks for patients with hypertension is to determine when it’s appropriate to see a doctor. If your blood pressure is in stage 2 and you experience any symptoms listed above, you should seek care as soon as possible. If you are having any of the symptoms listed and have not measured your blood pressure, then consider checking it to see if this is causing your symptoms.
What Options are There for Hypertension?
Hypertension has a wide range of treatment options and generally a change if everyday life is the first choice. This means changing what and how much you eat, adding fruits and vegetables to your diet, exercising 30 minutes everyday, reducing stress, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol, and avoiding excessive fatty foods and eliminating trans fats, to name a few. If lifestyle changes have happened, there is a chance you could be offered medication, with a wide variety available to treat your specific health needs. Check with your doctor to see if you need medication or if lifestyle changes are enough to get you started.
