High Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know About Its Symptoms, Cause, and Risk Factors

As a provider of health services pharmacy in New Jersey, your overall health is our concern. So we share with you this quick overview about high blood pressure.

When our heart beats, it pumps blood into different parts of the body to distribute the oxygen and energy it needs to function. As the blood moves, it drives against the side of the blood vessels. The force of this pushing is known as the blood pressure.

A high level of blood pressure can put an added strain on your arteries. As a result, heart attack and stroke may occur. This is why it is important to keep your blood pressure as low as you can. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk of health problems.

 
Symptoms

Having a high blood pressure is not something you can easily notice. Most people with high blood pressure experience no signs or symptoms even if the pressure reaches a dangerously high level. The only way to be certain if you have a high blood pressure is for it to be measured.

However, it is important to understand that a single high reading may not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. A lot of factors affect your blood pressure throughout a day. This is why a healthcare professional will take multiple blood pressure readings to see if it stays high over time. If you wish to get tested, our community pharmacy in Jersey City, New Jersey offers free blood pressure testing. Just approach any of our available pharmacists for a blood pressure testing.

Cause

There are two types of high blood pressure, namely, primary and secondary hypertension. For most people, blood pressure gradually increases over years with an unidentifiable cause. This is called primary hypertension. Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, is caused by an underlying health condition. Conditions and medications that can lead to secondary hypertension include:

• Kidney and thyroid problems
• Adrenal gland tumor
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Treatments for colds, birth control, and pain relief
• Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines

Risk Factors

High blood pressure has many risk factors. These include:

• Age
  The risk increases as you age.
• Family History
  You are more likely to have it if you have a family history.
• Being Overweight
  The more you weigh, the more blood your body needs to supply enough energy and oxygen. As the blood volume increases in your system, so does the pressure inflicted on the artery walls.
• Using Tobacco
  Using tobacco spikes blood pressure temporarily. However, the chemicals in it damage the lining of the artery wall permanently. This narrow downs the arteries thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack.
• Using Too Much Salt
  Using too much salt causes the body to retain fluid which increases blood pressure.
• Lacking Potassium
  Potassium keeps the amount of sodium in cells in check. If you lack potassium, sodium accumulates in your blood thereby increasing blood pressure.
• Drinking Too Much Alcohol

You can help lower your blood pressure by controlling risk factors. Make the necessary lifestyle changes to protect your health. To learn more about how to effectively manage high blood pressure, drop by at Do not hesitate to drop by at Palace Drugs and Liquors for a consultation.

Source:www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410