Hypertension
What is it?
Hypertension (uncontrolled high blood pressure) increases risk for heart attack and stroke, among other conditions. The term "blood pressure" refers to a measure of the pressure generates together with the resistance to blood flow in your arteries. Blood pressure increases when your heart works harder to try to pump more blood through narrower arteries.
What causes it?
Most of the time, high blood pressure cannot be traced to a single cause. Called "primary hypertension," this typically develops gradually, over many years.
Approximately 5 - 10% of the time, high blood pressure has "secondary" causes. This kind of high blood pressure tends to appear suddenly and causes higher blood pressure spikes. Secondary hypertension can have numerous causes, including kidney abnormalities, tumors of the adrenal gland or certain congenital heart defects. Certain medications — including birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs — also may cause secondary hypertension.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even when blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels. Sometimes, though, there may be symptoms when elevated blood pressure reaches an advanced (possibly life-threatening) stage, including dull headaches, dizzy spells and nosebleeds.
There are many risk factors that may predispose you to develop high blood pressure. Among the ones you can't control:
- Age. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you get older. Through early middle age, high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after menopause.
- Race. High blood pressure, and its serious complications, including stroke and heart attack, is particularly common among blacks, often developing at an earlier age than it does in whites.
- Family history. High blood pressure tends to run in families.
Other risk factors for high blood pressure are within your control.
- Excess weight. The greater your body mass, the more blood is required to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. As blood volume increases, so does the pressure on your artery walls.
- Inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle often results in higher heart rates, forcing your heart to work harder with each contraction — and putting more stress on your arteries.
- Smoking. The chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls, which promotes narrowing of the arteries.
- Sodium intake. Too much sodium in your diet — especially if you have sodium sensitivity — can lead to fluid retention and increased blood pressure.
- Low potassium intake. Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells. If you don't consume or retain enough potassium, you may accumulate too much sodium in your blood.
- Excessive alcohol. Over time, heavy drinking can raise your blood pressure and put you at risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
- Stress. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary but dramatic increase in blood pressure. If you try to relax by eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol, you may only fuel problems with high blood pressure.
How is hypertension treated?
Treating high blood pressure can help prevent serious even life-threatening medical problems. It may also be necessary to treat related conditions that contribute to high blood pressure, such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
The doctors at Stamford Hospital can help you determine the appropriate treatment for your hypertension based on medical and lifestyle factors. Treatment can be as simple as making changes in your lifestyle or can include taking medication to lowere your blood pressure.
Learn more about hypertension and treatment options. » Go
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).