Blood Pressure
What Is the Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease?
A significant contributor to heart disease is high blood pressure. The strain caused by elevated blood pressure leads to the accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and plaque in coronary arteries. This buildup narrows the arterial passage, impeding blood flow to a segment of your heart muscle. Consequently, this blockage and reduced blood flow are responsible for triggering a heart attack.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure often goes undetected by many patients. It is frequently referred to as the “silent killer” due to its lack of noticeable symptoms. Regular checkups are the only means to monitor high blood pressure effectively. For individuals with a close relative affected by high blood pressure, regular checkups become even more crucial.
These are the most common signs and symptoms of extremely high blood pressure.
If you have any of these symptoms, call Agape Family Medical Center immediately:
- Fatigue or confusion
- Vision problems
- Severe headache
- Difficulty breathing
- Blood in urine
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Pounding in chest, neck, or ears
- Irregular heartbeat
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
While the precise causes of high blood pressure remain unknown, it can sometimes be linked to an underlying condition. High blood pressure can be categorized into two types.
Primary Hypertension
Many patients do not have a clearly identifiable cause for their high blood pressure. Primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension, usually develops gradually over a period of time.
Secondary Hypertension
Secondary hypertension is characterized by high blood pressure that is caused by an underlying condition. Unlike primary hypertension, this type of blood pressure can emerge suddenly and often results in higher blood pressure readings.
There are several conditions and medications that can cause secondary hypertension, including
- Kidney problems
- Adrenal gland tumors
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Thyroid problems
- Blood vessel defects you’re born with
- Certain medications, including cold remedies, decongestants, birth control pills, over-the-counter pain relievers, and certain prescription drugs
- Illegal drugs, like cocaine and amphetamines