Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

High blood pressure is caused when the blood being pumped through the arteries is consistently too high. When the heart beats, it pushes blood through the arteries. If the force is too high, you will have high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension. Some people can have this condition without noticing any symptoms, however high blood pressure can cause other complications and increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke

What are the types?

There are two types of high blood pressure - primary and secondary.

Primary hypertension has no known cause and tends to take a few years to develop while secondary hypertension is caused by another underlying condition such as:

  • Sleep apnea
  • Kidney related conditions
  • Adrenal gland tumors
  • Thyroid related conditions
  • Defects in the blood vessels
  • Certain birth control, cold and flu and pain medications
  • Illegal drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines

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What are the symptoms?

High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause symptoms or signs. Some people may experience the following symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nosebleeds

While some will experience these symptoms, others may not have any idea that they have high blood pressure.

What are the causes of high blood pressure?

What causes high blood pressure is unknown, but those who are at risk are those who have too much salt intake, are overweight, drink too much alcohol and do not exercise enough. These are all factors that can increase your risk of developing hypertension.

It is essential to treat the condition as the pressure on artery walls can cause further complications such as:

  • A heart attack or stroke due to thickening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
  • Aneurysm may form in the blood vessels due to high blood pressure.
  • Heart failure due to the heart working harder to pump blood.
  • Weakened or narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys which may prevent organs from functioning as they should.
  • Rupturing of blood vessels in the eye which may cause vision impairment.
  • Dementia and trouble with memory due to blood flow issues to the brain.
  • Metabolic syndrome

Treatment options

Management of high blood pressure is usually done by changing lifestyle habits that may be contributing to narrow arteries and blood vessels. Lifestyle changes that are often recommended include following a heart healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting the amount of alcohol you consume and maintaining a healthy weight. Depending on your age, you may be deemed high risk of developing a cardiovascular disease, and thus your treatment will differ. Dr Machailo may find it necessary to use blood pressure lowering medications to treat your condition. These may include medications that relax the blood vessels from constricting, slow the heart beat or lessen the force of the heart’s beating.

If your high blood pressure is not responding to medication, Dr Machailo may deem it resistant hypertension, which may require further diagnostic procedures to determine what is causing your resistant hypertension and accurately plan your treatment.

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