What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is given as two numbers: systolic pressure (the higher number) is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart beats, while diastolic pressure (the lower number) is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats. A normal blood pressure reading is typically around 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure (hypertension) is generally considered to be a reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher, while low blood pressure (hypotension) is generally considered to be a reading of 90/60 mmHg or lower.
Causes of blood pressure
There are many potential causes of high blood pressure (hypertension), including:
Genetics or family history of hypertension
Being overweight or obese
Lack of physical activity
Consuming too much salt or alcohol
Stress
Chronic kidney disease
Sleep apnea
Certain medications, such as birth control pills or decongestant.
Other causes of low blood pressure (hypotension) include:
Dehydration
Loss of blood
Heart problems
Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes
Certain medications, such as blood pressure medications, diuretics, and some antidepressants
Pregnancy
Anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction)
Septicemia (a severe infection)
However, it's important to note that in some cases, the cause of high or low blood pressure may not be known.
Types of blood pressure
There are several different types of blood pressure that are classified based on their causes and symptoms.
Essential hypertension: This is the most common type of hypertension and has no known cause. It typically develops gradually over time and is often referred to as "silent killer" because it has no symptoms until complications occur.
Secondary hypertension: This type of hypertension is caused by an underlying condition such as kidney disease, sleep apnea, or a tumor on the adrenal gland. It tends to develop suddenly and may have specific symptoms that can help identify the underlying cause.
Isolated systolic hypertension: This type of hypertension is characterized by a high systolic blood pressure and a normal diastolic blood pressure. It is most common in older adults and is caused by stiffening of the arteries.
White coat hypertension: This type of hypertension is caused by anxiety or stress during a doctor's visit. The patient's blood pressure is high in the clinic but normal when measured at home or in a relaxed environment.
Orthostatic hypertension: This type of hypertension is characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from a seated or lying position. It can cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.
Low blood pressure (hypotension): There are several types of low blood pressure, including orthostatic hypotension, which occurs when a person stands up and their blood pressure drops, causing dizziness or fainting. Other types of low blood pressure include neurally mediated hypotension, which is caused by a malfunction in the nervous system and postural hypotension, which occurs when a person's blood pressure drops after standing up or sitting up.
How to control over high blood pressure
There are several ways to control high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. These include:
Making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise
Limiting or avoiding alcohol and tobacco use
Managing stress through techniques such as relaxation and mindfulness
Taking medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider
Monitoring blood pressure at home
It's important to work with a healthcare provider to develop a plan that is right for you and to make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan over time.
How to control over low blood pressure
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, can be controlled through a variety of methods, including:
Drinking fluids, particularly water and other fluids that are high in electrolytes, such as sports drinks
Eating a diet that is high in salt and low in carbohydrates
Wearing compression stockings to help improve blood flow
Lying down or elevating your feet when feeling lightheaded
Medications such as fludrocortisone, midodrine and ephedrine.
As with high blood pressure, it's important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the cause of low blood pressure and to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Additionally, it's important to mention that in some cases low blood pressure may not require treatment and it may be caused by an underlying condition, and it's best to consult with your doctor to be sure of the cause and if any treatment is needed.
Which medicine should take for high and low blood pressure?
The medication or combination of medications that is best for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the hypertension, any underlying health conditions, and any other medications that the individual is taking.
Some commonly prescribed medications for hypertension include:
Diuretics, which help the body get rid of excess sodium and water
ACE inhibitors, which help relax blood vessels
Calcium channel blockers, which help relax blood vessels
Beta blockers, which slow the heart rate and reduce the force of each heartbeat
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which also help relax blood vessels
For low blood pressure (hypotension) medications may include:
Fludrocortisone, which helps to increase blood volume by retaining salt and water
Midodrine, which causes blood vessels to constrict and increases blood pressure
Ephedrine, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and increases heart rate and blood pressure
It's important to note that only a healthcare professional should prescribe and monitor the use of these medications. It's also important to follow the instructions given by the healthcare professional to avoid any side effects and to make sure the medications are effective in controlling the blood pressure.
-----------------------************---------------------------
3 Comments
Amazing information 👌
ReplyDeleteVery Informative. nice sharing 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks for appreciating
Delete