Hypertension - The Silent Killer. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is often called “the silent killer,” because it is a deadly disease that shows no early symptoms. It is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke and kidney disease.
What causes excessive high blood pressure?
Possible Causes of High Blood Pressure. Many things can contribute to high blood pressure, including consuming alcohol. Other possible causes of high blood pressure can include: family history/genetic predisposition for high blood pressure being 60 years or older consuming too much salt being overweight or obese smoking not exercising enough
What diseases are silent killers?
5 Diseases That Are Silent Killers and What You Can Do To Prevent Them.
- Sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder where people breathe loudly while sleeping. ...
- Coronary artery disease. Although many heart diseases are life-threatening, coronary artery disease is one of them. ...
- Osteoporosis. ...
- High blood pressure. ...
- Fatty liver disease. ...
How to know that you have high blood pressure?
They should take immediate action if you suddenly experience:
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
- Trouble walking, or lack of balance or coordination
- Severe headache
- Stay aware and seek high blood pressure treatment
What are the symptoms of high BP?
headache, blurred vision, dizziness, and shortness of breath. The consequences of high blood pressure depend on the severity and the duration of the pressure, as well as the underlying medical condition of the individual affected. High blood pressure can affect the heart to cause: shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart attack.
What are the 5 symptoms of high blood pressure?
Symptoms of High Blood PressureBlurry or double vision.Lightheadedness/Fainting.Fatigue.Headache.Heart palpitations.Nosebleeds.Shortness of breath.Nausea and/or vomiting.
What is the curse of high blood pressure?
If your blood pressure gets too high or stays high for a long time, it can cause health problems. Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts you at a higher risk for stroke, heart disease, heart attack, and kidney failure. There are 2 types of high blood pressure. Primary hypertension.
Why is high blood pressure known as the silent killer quizlet?
High blood pressure is often called “the silent killer” because it typically has no symptoms until after it has done significant damage to the heart and arteries.
Is hypertension also known as the silent killer?
Hypertension is called a "silent killer". Most people with hypertension are unaware of the problem because it may have no warning signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is essential that blood pressure is measured regularly.
What time of day is blood pressure highest?
Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before a person wakes up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening. Blood pressure is usually lower at night while sleeping.
How long can you live with high blood pressure?
If left untreated, a blood pressure of 180/120 or higher results in an 80% chance of death within one year, with an average survival rate of ten months. Prolonged, untreated high blood pressure can also lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease.
Which organ is affected by high blood pressure?
High blood pressure can damage your health in many ways. It can seriously hurt important organs like your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. The good news is that, in most cases, you can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems.
What are the silent symptoms of hypertension?
If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including:Severe headaches.Nosebleed.Fatigue or confusion.Vision problems.Chest pain.Difficulty breathing.Irregular heartbeat.Blood in the urine.More items...
Can hypertension affect kidneys?
Over time, high blood pressure harms renal blood vessels Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause arteries around the kidneys to narrow, weaken or harden. These damaged arteries are not able to deliver enough blood to the kidney tissue.
What is the average blood pressure for a 70 year old?
Normal blood pressure for most adults is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80.
How can I bring my blood pressure down immediately?
How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure Immediately?Take a warm bath or shower. Stay in your shower or bath for at least 15 minutes and enjoy the warm water. ... Do a breathing exercise. Take a deep breath from your core, hold your breath for about two seconds, then slowly exhale. ... Relax!
What is stroke level blood pressure?
A hypertensive crisis is a sudden, severe increase in blood pressure. The blood pressure reading is 180/120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater. A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. It can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening health problems.
Can high BP be cured permanently?
There is no cure for high blood pressure. But treatment can lower blood pressure that is too high. If it is mild, high blood pressure may sometimes be brought under control by making changes to a healthier lifestyle.
How can I bring my blood pressure down immediately?
How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure Immediately?Take a warm bath or shower. Stay in your shower or bath for at least 15 minutes and enjoy the warm water. ... Do a breathing exercise. Take a deep breath from your core, hold your breath for about two seconds, then slowly exhale. ... Relax!
What causes your blood pressure to suddenly get high?
Stress. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. Stress-related habits such as eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol can lead to further increases in blood pressure. Certain chronic conditions.
How can you bring your blood pressure down quickly?
Increase activity and exercise more. ... Cut back on sugar and refined carbohydrates. ... Eat more potassium and less sodium. ... Eat less processed food. ... Stop smoking. ... 11. Make sure to get good, restful sleep. ... Eat garlic or take garlic extract supplements. ... Take these BP-lowering supplements.More items...
Who is affected by high blood pressure?
Approximately 1 in 3, more than 100 million, American adults have high blood pressure. But only half of those people have their condition under control. Many people develop high blood pressure when they are in their late 30’s or early 40’s, and it occurs more frequently as people age. However, because of the obesity epidemic, more and more children are also developing high blood pressure.
What is the blood pressure of the heart?
Blood pressure is defined as the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – is a disease in which blood flows through blood vessels (arteries) at a higher than normal pressure. Blood pressure is measured with two numbers.
How long does it take for blood pressure medication to work?
Your blood pressure medication should begin to work within days. However, because high blood pressure is a long-lasting medical condition that often has little or no symptoms, remembering to take your medications can be a challenge. Combination medicines, long-acting or once-a-day medications, may be used to decrease the burden of taking numerous medications and help ensure medications regularly. Once started, the medication should be used until your doctor tells you to stop.
What is the number of blood pressure?
Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. The first, or top number, is the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats, called the systolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the higher of the two numbers. The second, or bottom number, measures the force of blood in your arteries while your heart is relaxed between beats.
Why is it important to detect high blood pressure?
Often referred to as the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms, high blood pressure puts you at an increased risk for heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, among other things . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, ...
How to improve blood flow?
decrease certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently. relax blood vessels and slow the heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure. relax the blood vessels so that the heart does not have to pump as hard.
What is stage 2 high blood pressure?
Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away. A reading this high is considered “hypertensive crisis.”. Readings between 120/80 and 129/89 are considered pre-hypertension.
Why is high blood pressure considered a silent killer?
High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because most people who have it don't have any symptoms. And that silence can be deadly. High blood pressure can lead to a host of serious problems, including heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
Why does blood pressure go up?
Unless you can turn back time, your risk of developing blood pressure is going up. That's because risk increases as you age. High blood pressure tends to run in families, so if one of your parents or a sibling has the condition you're more likely to as well. And your race may also increase your risk.
What should my blood pressure be?
Blood pressure should be 120/80 or lower. If it's consistently higher, lifestyle changes or medication, or a combination of the two, can usually bring it down to a healthy level.
Can high blood pressure cause vision loss?
High blood pressure can cause significant damage to your heart, eyes, kidneys, brain and blood vessels. Left untreated, this can lead to kidney failure or vision loss. Your ability to think, remember and learn can also be affected by high blood pressure.
Does salt increase blood pressure?
Too much salt can cause you to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure. Salt hides in all processed foods, like hot dogs, lunch meats, pickles and all canned foods. It's better to eat fresh or frozen vegetables. Salt also is in all cheese. Download an infographic about salt.
Understanding Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood pressure inside the arteries increases significantly and poses a risk to the individual’s health. Blood pressure is the force that is generally exerted by the blood on the vessels during circulation.
Reason Why Hypertension is a Silent Killer
Hypertension is considered a “Silent Killer” because the condition has no clear symptoms that would indicate that something is wrong with your body. As this condition develops very slowly over time and is caused due to various factors, it is often misdiagnosed, which leads to serious side effects.
The Bottom Line
The best thing you can do about hypertension is to know your numbers and act on them accordingly.
Risks You Can Change
and Those You Can't
- Unless you can turn back time, your risk of developing blood pressure is going up. That's because risk increases as you age. High blood pressure tends to run in families, so if one of your parents or a sibling has the condition you're more likely to as well. And your race may also increase your risk. High blood pressure is more common — and often more severe — among African-America…
Why It Matters
- High blood pressure can cause significant damage to your heart, eyes, kidneys, brain and blood vessels. Left untreated, this can lead to kidney failureor vision loss. Your ability to think, remember and learn can also be affected by high blood pressure. There's even a type of dementia — vascular dementia— caused by high blood pressure.
What You Can Do
- Know your numbers — and act on them. People 40 and older, or anyone younger with risk factors, should have their blood pressure checked by a provider once a year. Younger people without risk factors should be checked at least every two years. If your blood pressure is high, talk to your provider your provider will recommend lifestyle changes or medication to lower it. Blood …
Learn More About Blood Pressure
- Visit our Classes & Events pageto find a blood pressure screening near you.
- Get the facts. Download an infographic about high blood pressure.