Is Your Blood Pressure a Ticking Time Bomb?
There’s a reason why blood pressure is called the silent killer. This condition will usually not present any symptoms until it’s too late and you have fallen victim to a heart attack, stroke, vision loss, or kidney failure. Unfortunately, 46% of the world’s adult population is unaware they have hypertension.
So today, we’re going to help you understand what high blood pressure is, how it develops, and how you can prevent or manage it.
What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. It’s measured in two components:
- Systolic pressure: The pressure when the heart contracts and pushes blood out.
- Diastolic pressure: The pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
If your systolic and diastolic pressure readings present 140/90 mmHg or higher, your blood pressure is high.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when this force is consistently too high. It develops due to various factors:
- As we age, arteries can become less flexible and narrower, increasing resistance to blood flow.
- More fluid in the bloodstream increases pressure on vessel walls.
- Certain hormones can cause blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure.
Genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, alcoholism, and too much salt intake can also contribute to high blood pressure.
Prolonged high blood pressure can damage blood vessel walls. This damage initiates a repair process where the body sends cells to fix the injured areas. Over time, substances like cholesterol and fats can accumulate at these sites, forming plaque.
This plaque buildup narrows the blood vessels, restricts blood flow, and can lead to increased blood pressure.
Symptoms of Blood Pressure
As mentioned, most people with hypertension do not experience symptoms until it’s too late. However, according to an article published by WHO, if the blood pressure is 180/120 and higher, these symptoms will be noticeable:
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Nosebleeds
- Chest pains
- Severe headaches
- Anxiety
- Buzzing in the ears
Preventing Blood Pressure
Doctors recommend that you:
- Be more active for at least 150 minutes per week
- Maintain a healthy weight as advised by your physician
- Eat a balanced diet and avoid salty foods and refined carbohydrates
- If you must, take only one alcoholic drink per day
- Completely quit smoking
Related: What is Diabetes?
FAQs on Blood Pressure
Let’s answer some of your most burning questions on blood pressure.
What Is a Safe Blood Pressure Range?
According to the National Insititute of Aging, the normal blood pressure range for adults is less than 120mm Hg systolic and less than 80mm Hg diastolic.
Source: American Heart Association
What Is Normal Blood Pressure by Age?
Normal blood pressure is generally less than 120/80 mmHg for adults. However, blood pressure can vary depending on age, sex, and other factors.
Here is a table showing normal blood pressure ranges by age.
Can Drinking Water Lower Your Blood Pressure?
Drinking water doesn’t directly lower blood pressure but can help keep it normal. If you’re dehydrated, your blood volume drops, and your body narrows blood vessels to compensate, which can raise blood pressure. Drinking a normal amount of water (about 6-8 glasses a day) helps your body maintain healthy blood pressure, but it’s not a cure for high blood pressure on its own.
Which Fruit Is Best for High Blood Pressure?
Both bananas and blueberries are excellent options for keeping blood pressure low. Bananas are rich in potassium, which has been shown to help lower blood pressure.
Blueberries, on the other hand, contain resveratrol and anthocyanins, which help relax blood vessels and promote heart health. A study even found that drinking wild blueberry juice daily led to a noticeable drop in blood pressure.
