Blood-pressure is usually categorized as either being high, low, or normal.
The initial symptoms of high blood pressure or hypertension are so mild that most people who associate them with other conditions or causes, do not notice them at all, or fail to take them seriously until there is a serious problem. The most common symptoms are nausea, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. If left untreated, blood pressure disease can lead to more serious conditions, such as heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Before we go further, we should note that abnormal blood pressure could be chronic and lead to the conditions mentioned. But, it can also be temporary and not cause any short term or long term problems. The most common causes of temporary high-blood-pressure include pregnancy, nervousness over a doctor’s visit, also called “white coat syndrome,” or birth control pills. Chronic high blood pressure has been linked to uncontrollable factors like age, race, and family history. As well as, factors, such as weight, sodium intake, and lack of exercise, that can be controlled. Some of the most effective ways to treat blood pressure disease revolve around lifestyle changes such as changing eating habits, increasing exercise, and managing stress. Yet, there are also medications that help lower high blood pressure. These typically include diuretics and beta-blockers.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is low blood-pressure, also called hypotension. Low blood pressure can cause a few more symptoms than high blood pressure. So, in addition to symptoms like dizziness and fatigue low-blood-pressure can also cause fainting, depression, and cold and/or clammy skin. Low blood pressure, if left untreated, can lead to serious health issues, such as shock. Shock is the term used to describe a rapid failing of vital organs that occurs without warning and is caused by long periods of low pressure of the blood. Persistent or serious low blood pressure is caused by serious conditions such as dehydration, blood loss, or a change in blood pressure medicine. Treatment for low-blood-pressure will depend largely on its cause.
Most people have normal blood pressure. Normal is when the body is healthy enough to maintain itself. The body has sensors that let it know whether it needs to adjust to combat a lower or higher blood pressure. In order to stay on top of blood pressure levels, it is important to have your blood-pressure checked routinely, and more often as you get older. Blood pressure monitors are easy to use and work by electronically displaying the rate at which the heart contracts over the rate at which it relaxes between beats. Blood pressure monitors for many people to identify high or low pressure.
Called the silent killer by many, blood pressure can cause serious conditions and lead to death if left untreated. So, it is important to understand the often overlooked initial symptoms of both hypertension and hypotension. High-blood-pressure has become more visible in recent years, and it is important for those at risk to check their blood pressure routinely make the necessary lifestyle changes.