Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Understanding Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious medical condition where the pressure of the blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. It’s a major risk factor for many serious cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Left uncontrolled, hypertension can cause irreversible damage to organs throughout your body.

Causes of Hypertension

In many cases, the cause of hypertension is unknown (primary hypertension). However, several factors can increase your risk, including:

• Family history: A family history of hypertension increases your risk.
• Unhealthy diet: Consuming too much salt, saturated fats, and cholesterol can increase blood pressure.
• Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of many diseases, including hypertension.
• Obesity or overweight: Excess weight puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels.
• Stress: Chronic stress raises blood pressure.
• Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking: Alcohol and smoking damage blood vessels.
• Age: The risk of hypertension increases with age.

Symptoms of Hypertension

Hypertension often has no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Many people only discover they have hypertension during a routine checkup or when complications arise. However, some symptoms that might appear include:

• Severe headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Note: These symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions. Therefore, you should consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Preventing Hypertension

You can reduce your risk of developing hypertension by:

• Maintaining a healthy diet: Limit salt, saturated fats, and cholesterol; increase fruits and vegetables.
• Regular exercise: At least 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Weight loss if overweight or obese: Maintain a healthy weight.
• Stress management: Find ways to relax and reduce stress.
• Limit alcohol consumption and smoking: Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.
• Regular health checkups: Monitor your blood pressure regularly.

Conclusion: Hypertension is a serious condition, but it is preventable and manageable. Adopt a healthy lifestyle to protect your cardiovascular health.