Causes Of High Blood Pressure And Low Blood Pressure, Prevention & Treatment

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that the heart uses to pump blood all round the body. Humans are always advised by their doctors or by health personnel to watch out for their blood pressure and this is because doing so can help one live well.

The pressure that forces blood to flow causes oxygen or nutrients to be delivered through the arteries to the tissues and organs of the body. The condition of these arteries can affect blood pressure in the sense that a narrowing of the arteries can eventually block the supply of blood, and this can lead to stroke or a serious health issue.

Another thing blood pressure does is that, it delivers white blood cells and antibodies for immunity and hormone like insulin.

How is Blood Pressure Measured?

Blood Pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury(mmHg), and the measurement of blood pressure is done using two numbers which are the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure.

What is the Systolic and Diastolic Pressure?

The systolic pressure which is usually the higher figure seen whenever you check your blood pressue, results from the contraction of the heart. It measures the pressure in your arteries whenever your heart beats while the diastolic pressure which is the lower number is the pressure in the arteries when your heart rests in between beats.

For example, in a 140 over 90mmHg(140/90mmHg)measurement, the 140mmHg is the systolic pressure while the 90mmHg is the diastolic pressure.

What are the types of Blood Pressure?

We have three types of blood pressure. The normal blood pressure, high blood pressure and low blood pressure.

When Do I Have A Normal Blood Pressure?

You have a normal blood pressure if your measurement is 90/60mmHg or 120/80mmHg. However, there are different measurement depending on one’s gender and age.

What Is The Normal Blood Pressure For Men And Women?

According to researchers, for men within 31-35 years, the normal blood pressure is usually 114.5/75mmHg and those within age 61-65 is 143.5/76.5mmHg.

The normal blood pressure for women between age 21-25 is 115.5/70.5mmHg, those within age 31-35 usually have a blood pressure of 110.5/72.5mmHg, and those within age 56-60 can have a normal blood pressure of 132.5/78.5mmHg.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High Blood Pressure or hypertension occurs when there is an excessive pressure exerted against the artery walls as the heart pumps blood away. It occurs when the pressure against the blood vessels walls in the body is always too high.

We have the pre hypertension which is between (120/80mmHg and 139/89mmHg) as well as the hypertension which is 140/90 and above. Before throwing more light on this, let’s see some of the causes of high blood pressure.

What Are The Causes Of High Blood Pressure?

There are two major causes which are:

1. The Essential or Primary Cause: This is as a result of old age or an unhealthy habit.

2. Secondary Cause: This is due to medical condition or medication.

Simply put, the following are some causes of high blood pressure:

1. Overweight: Excessive weight increases the workload required on the heart.

2. Medications such as the use of birth control pills, relievers, appetite suppressants.

3. Intake of Caffeine: The intake of caffeine causes the adrenal glands to release more adrenaline which causes blood pressure to increase.

4. Not eating much fruits or vegetables.

5. Smoking.

6. Excessive drinking.

7. Lack of exercise.

8. Taking in of excessive salt.

9. Lack of good sleep.

10. One with a relative with high blood pressure stands a chance of having it too.

What are the Categories of High Blood Pressure?

We have different categories of high blood pressure:

1. The stage one category which is regarded as the mild hypertension stage. At this stage, the measurement of blood pressure is between 130/80mmHg and 139/89mmHgmmHg.

2. The stage two category which is the moderate hypertension. It is usually at 140/90mmHg or higher.

3. The stage three hypertension which is called hypertensive crises. The measurement is from 180/120mmHg and above.

Does Hypertension Affect Pregnant Women?

Of course, it does. As a matter of fact, there are different forms of hypertension which may occur in a pregnant woman.

1. Chronic Hypertension

The chronic hypertension is when a pregnant woman already had high blood pressure before taking in or 20 weeks before pregnancy.

2. Chronic Hypertension With Preeclampsia

This develops in a pregnant woman who had chronic hypertension before pregnancy.

3. Gestational Hypertension

This is diagnosed 20 weeks after pregnancy or close to the time of delivery. It happens when a woman has high blood pressure during pregnancy and it could go away after delivery.

4. Preeclampsia

This is the leakage of protein into the urine by the kidney, it is dangerous and can lead to seizures. When it leads to seizures, it is called eclampsia.

A woman can develop high blood pressure during pregnancy if she has any of the following:

1. If she has a history of chronich high blood pressure before pregnancy

2. If she has diabetes

3. If she is overweight

4. If she is under the age of 20 or above the age of 40

5. If she is expecting more than one child

6. If she has had an in vitro fertilization

7. If she has kidney diseases.

Can A Child Have High Blood Pressure?

Your child can have hypertension but it depends on the child’s gender, age and height. New born babies can develop high blood pressure due to some health conditions like kidney disease or heart disease. An infant with high blood pressure may experience seizures, feeding problems, irritability, rapid breathing, etc.

What Are The Risk Of Having High Blood Pressure?

One with high blood pressure is at the risk of having stroke, heart failure, heart attack, kidney disease, heart disease, vascular dimentia, etc.

What Are The Treatment For Hypertension?

1. Medicine
2. Change of habits which cause high blood pressure
What Food Should I Eat If I Have High Blood Pressure?
1. Eat food low in fat
2. Use spices and herbs
3. Take vinegar, lemon and fruits
4. Eat plain rice
5. Sweet potatoes
6. Skinless chicken or turkey
7. Take bananas because they are rich in potassium and potassium is good for the management of high blood pressure.
8. Garlic, salmon and avocado

Which Food Should I Avoid If I Have High Blood Pressure?

1. Avoid salty food and calories
2. Avoid butter and margarine
3. Stay away from fried foods and fast foods.

If you want to reduce your high blood pressure, take these foods.

1. Beans
2. Berries
3. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons

What Low Blood Pressure

This occurs when the blood measurement falls below the normal measurement. The measurement for low blood pressure is 90/60mmHg or lower. It is also called hypotension.

What Are The Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure?

Dizziness
Blurry vision
Falling
Headaches
Nausea
Neck or back pain
Weakness
Confusion
Lightheadedness

What Are The Types Of Blood Pressure?

1. Postural Hypotension:

This is a sudden drop of blood pressure when one stands from a sitting position or from a lying position. In order words, it occurs when you suddenly get up after sitting or lying for a while, it affects all ages of people but is common amongst those who are aged. This type of hypotension can cause dizziness or lightheadedness.

2. Post Prandial Hypotension:

This occurs 1-2hours after eating.

3. Neurally Mediated Hypotension

This happens when one has been standing for long. It mostly affects children and young adults. It can also occur when one has a deep emotional response such as shock or fear.

4. Severe hypertension

This type can result to shock and it is dangerous. It is advised that medical help be rendered immediately a shock happens.

What Are The Causes Of Low Blood Pressure?

Medicine:

Medications used for high blood pressure, antidepressants and beta blockers, which are used to treat heart problems can cause it.

Pregnancy:

This is because pregnant women and the babies in their womb demand blood rapidly.

Diabetes:

This can affect your hormones and the nerves which lead to your blood vessels.

Aging

Heart disease

Dehydration as a result of diarrhea or vomiting
Prolonged bad rest.

Blood infection.

Anemia

Conditions which affect the nervous system such as Parkinson’s disease.

Treatment for Low Blood Pressure

1. One with low blood pressure should take prescribed medicines in order to boost it and also take in more fluid.

2. Avoid getting up immediately after eating
3. Learn what triggers your emotion
4. Sometimes, an hormone could be replaced but that is if the low blood pressure was caused by a change in certain hormones like the adrenal glands.
5. Drink enough water and avoid standing for a long period of time.

What Are The Foods To Take To Increase My Blood Pressure?

1. Salty food like smoked fish.
2. Take more caffeine
3. Take vitamin B12 as it prevents anemia
4. Reduce your intake of carbohydrates especially the ones that have been processed.
5. Eat eggs, meat and seafood
6. Drink more water
7. Take in more iron and eat balanced diet
When having a high or a low blood pressure and it seems to be getting worse, see your doctor.