High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called the silent killer. It is usually asymptomatic and has no signs or symptoms, yet it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart attack or stroke. Nigeria, the most populous country on the African continent, contributes to this burden of hypertension, and it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Africa.
High blood pressure is a serious and prevalent health condition in Nigeria. It affects over 20 million Nigerians. 30.7% of men and 25.2% of women have high blood pressure. While millions of adults are not aware, they even have high blood pressure. So what are the causes of hypertension? What are the most common blood pressure symptoms, and how can you manage them? We have put together everything you need to know to keep you informed.
What Are The 9 Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure?
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Palpitations (heart flutter) or irregular heartbeat
- Leg cramps
- Excessive sweating, especially at night and during exercise
- Tiredness that lasts for no reason
- Chest pain or discomfort may be because of a heart condition, such as angina. If you have high blood pressure, it may feel like a tight band around your chest when you breathe in deeply. It is called a heart squeeze. You should be able to get rid of it when you stop taking deep breaths or change positions.
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What Causes Hypertension?
High blood pressure is a condition that affects millions of people. One in three adults has high blood pressure, and one in three has prehypertension. And while it is easy to think that your family history or age might have caused your case of hypertension, many other factors, including genetics and lifestyle choices, contribute to the onset of high blood pressure too.
There are several risk factors associated with developing hypertension, including:
- Genetics: Although only 5%–10% of cases are because of genetic causes, a child can also inherit the condition. If you are concerned about your family history affecting whether you will get this disease later, talk with your doctor about what steps might be best for managing any potential risks early on. So they don’t become a health issue.
- Age: Most adults are diagnosed with high blood pressure as they age because our bodies simply are not working quite as efficiently anymore. And therefore need more energy for blood to circulate.
- Obesity: High amounts of fat in the body increase the number of fatty tissues surrounding the arteries, reducing blood vessel response to stress, and causing high blood pressure.
- Smoking: It causes a constriction of the arteries that supply blood flow through the heart, which increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. It also increases the risk of atherosclerosis, causing an abnormal deposit on an artery wall that narrows its diameter. Here are 7 Health Risks Of Vaping and why Nigerians should avoid it.
- Diabetes: Having diabetes increases the risk of developing high blood pressure because it can damage the blood vessel (Capillaries) throughout the body, reducing the ability of these tissues to respond appropriately to changes in blood pressure.
- Lack of exercise: Without exercise, a body does not get enough oxygen to help regulate the pressure, which can increase the sodium levels in the blood.
- High salt intake: Sodium is an essential element in our diet. It helps regulate fluid balance in the body. But too much sodium can increase blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and building salt retention in the body.
- High Alcohol Intake: Alcohol intake is one leading cause of hypertension. The liver processes the alcohol, and when released into the blood. It causes blood pressure to rise, leading to high levels of homocysteine, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
- Stress: It contributes to hypertension by raising blood pressure at night while you sleep. It is known as Orthostatic Hypertension.
See also: Hypertension, a silent killer.
High Blood Pressure Management Tips
Lifestyle changes can help prevent high blood pressure, and we can manage symptoms of high blood pressure with lifestyle changes.
If you want to prevent hypertension, certain things can help reduce stress levels and keep your heart healthy:
- Eat a healthy diet- The foods you eat can affect your blood pressure. Eat a balanced diet including fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread and cereals, lean meat and fish (only two portions per week), milk and dairy products (low-fat or skimmed if possible), and unsaturated oils.
- Exercise- Staying physically active may help lower high blood pressure by strengthening the heart muscle, reducing stress levels, and boosting blood circulation. Try to do some aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Lose weight if you’re overweight- Even losing 5% of your body weight can reduce your risk of high blood pressure by up to 40%. Maintaining a healthy weight prevents a rise in blood pressure over time as you age.
- Limit alcohol consumption- If you want to keep your blood pressure low as possible, stick to one or two drinks per day and ensure you drink water.
- Avoid stress- If you are feeling stressed, make some changes and take back control. These things can help you manage your time better: relaxing, talking to people, and exercising regularly. Yoga, mindfulness, meditation can reduce stress, and even singing.
- Get enough sleep- Better sleep habits reduce blood pressure. Getting up to 7- 8 hours of sleep each night is essential for maintaining good health, so ensure you rest!
- Limit salt intake- Using low-sodium seasoning in your cooking and eating less salt will help you manage hypertension.
- Add Potassium-rich food to your diet- Eating rich food like bananas, avocados, and yogurt can help you lessen the chemical that causes the blood vessel to constrict, called angiotensin, causing high blood pressure.
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Conclusion
If you have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, remember that it is necessary to manage the symptoms of your condition. Note any symptoms you may experience and speak with your doctor if they persist or worsen. Managing high blood pressure is essential for good health by doing regular health screening tests and blood pressure checks to control it.
Related: Don’t Overlook The Importance Of A Complete Blood Count Test.
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