AdvisoryCouncil

Understanding the Causes of High Blood Pressure

​

Each year when you go for your medical checkup your doctor will measure your blood pressure. There are two numbers that are returned in your reading. The top number is called the systolic pressure and the lower number is called the diastolic pressure. 

​

You have high blood pressure when your systolic number is 140 or higher and your diastolic pressure is 90 or above. If your numbers are really high your doctor may recommend that you start taking medication to control your blood pressure. Full blown high blood pressure or hypertension occurs at the numbers we mentioned above. You are said to have pre-hypertension when your systolic pressure reads between 120 and 139 and your diastolic pressure reads between 80 and 89. 

​

The main cause of high blood pressure is your lifestyle. If you are overweight or do not exercise regularly you are at risk for developing high blood pressure. Even losing 10 pounds can dramatically decrease your blood pressure. 

By getting into the habit of exercising regularly you can learn how to manage your high blood pressure even if it has developed into hypertension. Exercise along with losing weight and eating a healthy diet are the best recommends available. 

​

So how do you know if you have high blood pressure? Knowing exactly what your symptoms are is a subject that is under a lot of discussion. There are signs and symptoms that people with hypertension are said to suffer. These include things like headaches, anxiety, nosebleeds and shortness of breath. 

Some researchers are saying that these are not definite signs of high blood pressure. It is known that many people experience or show no signs of hypertension at all. The only time signs can occur is when someone has extremely high blood pressure. The readings would be when your systolic number reaches 180 or more and your diastolic number reaches over 110. 

​

There are some conditions which appear physically when your blood pressure rises, but they are not the cause of your high blood pressure. 

​

Bloodshot eyes are common in people with high blood pressure but are not caused by it. Instead you should visit an ophthalmologist to make sure your optical nerves have not been damaged. 

​

​