Almost all adults today suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). It is one of the most common conditions today. What typically happens when one has high blood pressure is that the force of blood artery walls is consistently elevated. This causes the heart to work harder than what is considered normal. Note that blood pressure is basically measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and a pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or higher is considered hypertension. According to the American Heart Association, there are different types of blood pressure. To learn more about la jolla, san diego hypertension, visit the website.
Types of hypertension:
When someone has a blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg or lower, it is considered normal. Those who have blood pressure between 120 and 129 mm Hg (top number) and below 80 mm Hg (bottom number), generally have elevated blood pressure.
There are two types of hypertension, stage 1 and stage 2. People who have stage 1 hypertension have blood pressure between 130 and 139 mm Hg (top number) or 80 and 89 mm Hg (bottom number). On the other hand, people with stage 2 hypertension have a blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher (top number) or 90 mm Hg or higher (bottom number). Remember that if the blood pressure is more than 180/120 mm Hg, it needs immediate treatment as it is considered a hypertensive emergency.
Also, if you leave your hypertension untreated for too long, it can lead to complications later on. This is why regular medical checkups are important, and you should maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Take medication if prescribed by your doctor.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
You should keep an eye out for any symptoms. If the symptoms get too severe, get immediate medical help. Some of the common symptoms of hypertension are headaches, shortness of breath, or a nosebleed. These symptoms usually indicate that the condition is too severe. Note that, in some cases, people may not get any symptoms at all.
Final thoughts:
Make it a point to go for regular checkups to see if your blood pressure is fine. There are some risks associated with factors like increasing age. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, you may need more frequent checkups. If you feel any discomfort, consult a doctor near you in San Diego right away.
