High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension", and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high. The top number, the systolic blood pressure, corresponds to the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries.
The bottom number, the diastolic pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction.
The diastolic pressure reflects the lowest pressure to which the arteries are exposed. An elevation of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart (cardiac) disease, kidney (renal) disease, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis), eye damage, and stroke (brain damage). These complications of hypertension are often referred to as end-organ damage because damage to these organs is the end result of chronic (long duration) high blood pressure. For this reason, the diagnosis of high blood pressure is important so efforts can be made to normalize blood pressure and prevent complications. It was previously thought that rises in diastolic blood pressure were a more important risk factor than systolic elevations, but it is now known that in people 50 years or older systolic hypertension represents a greater risk.
The blood pressure usually is measured with a small, portable instrument called a blood pressure cuff sphygmomanometer.
Sphygmo is Greek for pulse, and a manometer measures pressure. The blood pressure cuff consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff. The instrument measures the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The cuff is placed around the upper arm and inflated with an air pump to a pressure that blocks the flow of blood in the main artery (brachial artery) that travels through the arm. The arm is then extended at the side of the body at the level of the heart, and the pressure of the cuff on the arm and artery is gradually released.
The pressure at which the practitioner first hears a pulsation from the artery is the systolic pressure (the top number). As the cuff pressure decreases further, the pressure at which the pulsation finally stops is the diastolic pressure (the bottom number). One hour before blood pressure is taken, avoid eating, strenuous exercise (which can lower blood pressure), smoking, and caffeine intake.
Other stresses may alter the blood pressure and need to be considered when blood pressure is measured. Two forms of high blood pressure have been described: essential (or primary) hypertension and secondary hypertension. Essential hypertension is a far more common condition and accounts for 95% of hypertension. The cause of essential hypertension is multifactorial, that is, there are several factors whose combined effects produce hypertension. In secondary hypertension, which accounts for 5% of hypertension, the high blood pressure is secondary to (caused by) a specific abnormality in one of the organs or systems of the body.
Causes:
Low socioeconomic group
Older age
Family history
Men are more affected
Alcohol
Obesity
High salt intake
Lack of exercise
Oral contraceptive pills
Symptoms:
• headache
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• nausea and vomiting, and
• chest pain and shortness of breath.
The following types of organ damage are commonly seen in chronic high blood pressure:
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke or TIA
• Kidney failure
• Eye damage with progressive vision loss
• Peripheral arterial disease causing leg pain with walking (claudication)
• Outpouchings of the aorta, called aneurysm
Diagnosis:
Blood tests may be considered to assess risk factors for heart disease and stroke as well as looking for complications of hypertension.
These include complete blood count (CBC), electrolytes, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), and creatinine and GFR (glomerular filtration rate) to measure kidney function.
A fasting lipid profile will measure cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
Ultrasound of the kidneys and CT scan of the abdomen to assess the kidney damage
ECG(electrocardiogram)
EEG(echocardioram)
Doppler ultrasound
Treatment:
Blood pressure control is a lifelong challenge. Blood pressure control may involve a stepwise approach beginning with diet, weight loss, and lifestyle changes and eventually adding medications as required.
Management:
The most important element in the management of high blood pressure is follow-up care.
• Routine blood pressure check-ups are important to monitor readings and decide upon a treatment plan.
• With age and the natural progression of hardening of the arteries, systolic blood pressure may elevate over time. A treatment that once worked well may no longer work as well and your medication treatment may need to be changed.
• Routine physical exams and screening blood tests may be suggested to help monitor the success of blood pressure management.
• Follow-up visits are a good time to discuss with your health care practitioner any medication side effects you are experiencing.
• Follow-up visits are a great opportunity for monitoring for other associated risk factors, such as smoking cessation, and obesity.
Prevention:
High blood pressure may be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, including some of the following:
• eating a nutritious, low-fat diet;
• exercising regularly;
• decreasing salt (sodium) intake
• maintain a healthy weight
• avoiding alcohol
• stop smoking
• get routine health assessments and blood pressure screening;
• taking blood pressure medications as directed and
• reduce stress and practice relaxation techniques, physical activity will help in controlling
Homoeopathic treatment:
Argentum nitricum:
If blood pressure rises with anxiety and nervousness, this remedy may be indicated. “Stage fright” or anticipation of a stressful event can bring on dizziness, headache, diarrhea, and a pounding pulse. People who need this remedy are typically warm-blooded, imaginative, impulsive, and have strong cravings for sweets and salt.
Aurum metallicum:
This remedy is sometimes indicated for serious people, focused on career and accomplishment, with blood pressure problems related to stress. Worry, depression, or anger may occur, especially when these people feel they have made a mistake or failed in some way.A general tendency to feel worse at night, and a strong desire for alcohol, sweets.
Belladonna:
This remedy is indicated when symptoms come on suddenly, with great intensity and heat.
The person’s face is flushed, with dilated pupils, and pulsations and throbbing may be felt in various parts of the body. Despite the general heat, the person’s hands and feet may be cold. Vertigo and pounding headaches, worse from jarring and worse from light, may also occur.
Calcarea carbonica:
This remedy is often helpful to people with high blood pressure who easily tire and have poor stamina.
Palpitations and breathing problems can be worse from walking up a slope or stairs, and also when lying down.
A general chilliness with clammy hands and feet (the feet may heat up in bed at night) and sweat on the head during sleep are other indications. The person may have cravings for sweets and eggs.
Glonoinum:
A flushed face with a pounding headache and visible throbbing in the blood vessels of the neck may indicate a need for this remedy. The chest can feel congested or hot, with a pounding or irregular heartbeat. The person is worse from moving around, after heat and sun exposure, and after drinking alcohol. A feeling of “being lost in a familiar place” is a strong indication for this remedy.