Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition in which blood pressure in the arteries is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease or stroke. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers; the first number is called the systolic blood pressure. The second number is called the diastolic blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg whereas hypertension is when the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above.
Hypertension is rarely accompanied by any symptoms; however few persons might report the following when high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage:
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or confusion
- Nausea
- Vision problems
- Chest pains
- Breathing problems
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nosebleed
Since hypertension is a silent disease; it can be very dangerous. The only thing you can control in such a case is to prevent the narrowing of your arteries, meaning that you have to prevent the deposit of fat on the walls of your arteries. You can do so by achieving most of the following tips:
- Check your blood pressure from time to time
- Stay physically active
- Control your cholesterol and triglycerides levels
- Limit salts and consume less than 1,500 mg per day
- Avoid canned food products as they are high in salt
- Prevent the intake of unhealthy fat and fried products
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Have a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Prevent tobacco consumption
- Learn how to manage your daily stress
