Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Understanding Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a serious health condition where the pressure of the blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to many dangerous complications, including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and vision problems. Therefore, understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention of hypertension is crucial.

Causes of Hypertension

Primary Causes:

Genetics: A family history of hypertension increases your risk.
Unhealthy Diet: High intake of salt, saturated fats, and harmful cholesterol.
Lack of Physical Activity: Insufficient exercise.
Stress: Prolonged stress negatively affects the circulatory system.
Obesity: High BMI puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol increases blood pressure and harms cardiovascular health.

Secondary Causes:

Certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, adrenal gland disorders, or side effects of some medications can also cause hypertension.

Symptoms of Hypertension

Important Note: Hypertension often has no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Many people only discover it during routine health checkups or when complications have already developed. Therefore, regular blood pressure checks are essential.

Some symptoms that may appear in later stages include: headache, dizziness, nausea, nosebleeds, shortness of breath.

Preventing Hypertension

Healthy Diet: Reduce daily salt intake, increase intake of green vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, fish, and lean meat. Limit saturated fats, trans fats, and sugar.
Regular Exercise: At least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
Weight Management: Maintain a healthy BMI.
Stress Management: Relaxation techniques, yoga, meditation…
Limit Alcohol: Drink in moderation or abstain completely.
Regular Blood Pressure Checks: Check your blood pressure at least once a year.

Seeking Medical Help

If you suspect you have hypertension or experience any related symptoms, consult a doctor for diagnosis and timely treatment.