Symptoms of Hypertension
Typically, there are no symptoms associated with hypertension.
Common Causes of Hypertension
Hypertension is usually the result of changes, either gene or environmental. Body functions that might cause high blood pressure include changes to kidney fluid and salt balances, sympathetic nervous system activity, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and blood vessel structure and function.
To help prevent hypertension, some risk factors may be controlled or modified:
Controllable Risk Factors
- Follow a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Monitor high blood pressure
- Don’t smoke
- Limit alcohol use
- Limit sodiumin your diet
- Reduce caffeine intake
- Reduce and manage stress
- See your doctor regularly
Non-controllable Risk Factors
- Age
- Family history
- Gender
Diagnosis
A blood pressure test is the first step towards finding out if you have high blood pressure. This will likely be done several times over a period of time and perhaps in various setting such as at home as well as the physician’s office.
Treatment
Treatment plans vary but the plan will include a heart-healthy lifestyle including
- Follow a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Be physically active
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Reduce and manage stress
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctors. Always talk with your doctors about diagnosis and treatment options.