But first, let’s see what exactly this deadly disease looks like. Let’s dive right in for better knowledge about types, symptoms, and treatments for high blood pressure.
Types of hypertension:
There are two types of hypertension as explained below.
Primary hypertension
For a lot of people, there is no definable cause for hypertension. This is called primary hypertension and develops eventually over a period of time.
Secondary hypertension
Some people face the problem of high blood pressure due to an underlying condition. Such type of high blood pressure known as secondary hypertension. It appears suddenly and exhibits even higher blood pressure as compared to primary hypertension. Conditions that can lead to such a disorder are listed below:
- Kidney disease
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Thyroid problems
- Adrenal gland tumors
- Certain defects you are born with (congenital) in blood vessels
- Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
- Medications, such as cold remedies, decongestants, birth control pills, over-the-counter pain relievers
- Some prescription drugs
Symptoms of blood pressure
As mentioned earlier, a lot of patients do not discover that they are affected by the disease for a long time. There are a few symptoms such as headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath. Now, these symptoms are not very specific and might be misleading at times.
So, how to find out if you have hypertension? Simple, regular check-ups! Omron blood pressure monitors are good for checking blood pressure at home. You will most definitely have your blood pressure checked whenever you visit the doctor. However, refer to the following guide for the ideal frequency of checking the blood pressure!
- Age 18-39: Check your blood pressure once every two years
- Age 40-54: Check your blood pressure once every year
- Age 55-above: Check your blood pressure once every six months
If you are at high risk for hypertension, get your blood pressure checked even more frequently to avoid any regrets later. Your healthcare professionals will themselves suggest regular check-ups if they find that you are at risk. When it comes to children, they have their blood pressure checked every time as a part of their annual check-ups.
However, visiting the doctor so frequently might get a bit tedious. So, there are machines to do the same for you. Blood pressure monitors are your way to go if you want to check your blood pressure regularly, anytime, anywhere! In the UK, above 16 million people are affected by this disorder. Hence, it would be a good choice to invest in a blood pressure monitor. The blood pressure monitors from UK pharmacy online are usually properly calibrated but it is good to confirm the same with your doctors once.
Treatments for blood pressure:
If not paid attention to, hypertension tends to develop other complications such as the following:
- Dementia
- Weakened blood vessels
- Aneurysm
- Metabolic syndromes
- Narrowed, thickened, or torn blood vessels
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Cardiac arrest
- Death
It is always better to prevent the disease than to treat it later. So, make sure you have a healthy lifestyle, eat well, and stay physically active. Make sure you avoid foods with a lot of trans fats, sugars, and other components unhealthy for your cardiac health. However, if you find yourself already affected by hypertension, don’t worry. You can still reverse the condition or manage it well enough to never let it affect you much.
Changing your lifestyle can help a lot with the control and management of high blood pressure. Be it primary or secondary hypertension, your doctor will definitely recommend that you make lifestyle changes including but not limited to:
- Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt
- Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting regular physical activity
- Losing weight if you're overweight or obese
However, sometimes lifestyle changes aren't just enough. Your doctor might recommend medication to lower your blood pressure. Apart from that, your doctor might suggest you take your blood pressure regularly, which you can either do on your own or get it done by a professional at your convenience.
Conclusion:
Hypertension is one of the deadliest diseases across the globe. However, it is manageable and can also be reversed in some cases. A good diet, a healthy lifestyle, and regular physical activity is the key to being protected from hypertension.
If you want to be more careful, invest in a blood pressure monitor. Omron blood pressure monitors from the online pharmacy UK is one of the best monitors out there.