High blood pressure is a "silent" condition that has no symptoms, yet it can nevertheless have major consequences. For persons of any age, chronic hypertension can be fatal if left untreated. Despite this, a lot of people neglect their lifestyle and health.
No wonder doctors around the world recommend that people with hypertension carry BP monitors. Little do people know that high blood pressure doesn't affect cardiovascular health alone. Yes, it can also harm other systems and organs. Here are some common complications of high blood pressure that you should know.
Health Complications Due to Unchecked High Blood Pressure
Without you knowing, your high blood pressure, if left unchecked, can do a lot of harm. Some of the health issues it can lead to are:
Strokes
High blood pressure can destroy the blood arteries in your brain. If left untreated, it can result in a stroke. This can be due to restricted blood flow to the brain or internal haemorrhage. Blood vessels in your brain may narrow or burst and leak as a result of hypertension.
Additionally, it may result in blood clots that become lodged and obstruct the blood flow to your brain. A stroke can have different impacts on your cognitive health. Depending on the area of your brain that is affected, it can be long-term or short-term. However, remember that strokes can be fatal too.
Kidney Failure
Another common health issue is kidney failure. Waste products from your blood are extracted by your two kidneys. These wastes go through the ureters, bladder, and urethra, followed by elimination as urine. If you have high blood pressure, it may harm your kidneys' arteries. This is because impaired blood arteries make it more difficult for the kidneys to filter waste from your blood.
Waste materials may accumulate in your blood and cause renal overload as a result. If the kidneys don't respond normally for an extended period, it will lead to failure. Once you have renal failure, dialysis, which artificially filters your blood, or a kidney transplant, are your only alternatives.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is another frequent consequence of hypertension, which includes heart attacks. When blockages stop blood from reaching the heart, a heart attack is likely to happen. This is why many healthcare professionals recommend that such patients use a portable blood pressure machine.
In addition to a heart attack, untreated hypertension could also lead to other medical emergencies. This includes coronary artery disease or an enlarged left ventricle, which could result in a heart attack.
Eye Problems
In addition to the organs, hypertension may also hugely impact the eyes. For instance, it can damage the blood vessels in the eyes. This, as a result, could cause visual issues and, in severe situations, blindness.
Another eye problem that uncontrolled high blood pressure can give rise to is hypertensive retinopathy. It is a disorder that affects vision by damaging the blood vessels in the retina.
How Do You Treat Hypertension?
Whether you have hypertension or not, it is never too late to start. If you are already on your journey, then keep track using digital wrist BP monitors. Besides, here are some best ways to manage hypertension:
Healthy Diet
Junk food is a strict “No” when you plan to maintain a healthy diet. Instead, you need to start consuming more fruits, fresh veggies, and low-fat and low-carb food products. It’s surprising but true that a healthy diet can reduce blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg.
Doing this also benefits heart health, in addition to your blood pressure. Also, try lowering your intake of sodium by a small amount. But bear in mind that the impact of sodium on blood pressure differs from person to person.
Exercise Daily
To manage high blood pressure, doing physical activity daily is a must. For instance, you can regularly indulge in aerobic activity. This will lower your blood pressure by 5 to 8 mm Hg. However, continue exercising to balance your blood pressure or from increasing again.
This doesn't mean that you should start rushing; instead, start slow. Engage in light to moderate activity for at least half an hour every day. You can choose from various aerobic exercises. This includes dancing, jogging, walking, etc. Remember to use an at-home blood pressure machine to track your BP readings.
Limit Alcohol and Smoking
Alcohol and tobacco have a great impact on one's health. If you limit smoking and drinking, your blood pressure can be lowered by around 4 mm Hg. So, limit alcohol consumption to less than one drink per day for women.
For men, it is two drinks per day. Every time you smoke, your blood pressure rises. Yes, which is why quitting smoking is a must. In addition to reducing the risk of heart disease, it also enhances your general health.
Lose Weight
As weight grows, blood pressure frequently rises as well. Being overweight can also bring disorders like sleep apnoea. In this, breathing is disturbed while you sleep. Blood pressure is further elevated by sleep apnoea.
Therefore, to manage blood pressure, one should lose weight. Even a minor weight loss can help reduce blood pressure if you are obese or overweight. Also, carry a compatible wireless BP monitor handy to keep track.
Quality Night Sleep
Getting quality sleep at night also helps with treating hypertension. Do you suffer from weeks of sleep deprivation of less than seven hours per night?
If yes, then it is a major contribution to hypertension. Sleep disorders not only hinder your sleep but also your daily activities. So, aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night as an adult to manage hypertension.
Don't Let Your Hypertension Go Unnoticed
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