High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is considered as one of the most common health issues these days. General surveys have shown that out of every 10 people 7 are suffering from high blood pressure. Blood pressure is known as the measurement of the blood force that is being pushed against the walls of the blood vessels. With the help of blood vessels, the heart usually pumps blood into the arteries. High blood pressure is also known as hypertension or the “silent killer” because in majority of the cases its cause does not reveal any symptoms rather it results in sudden major and fatal consequences (Fahey, Murphy, & Hart, 2004). The blood pressure is generally of two types: the systolic pressure (higher number) and the diastolic pressure (lower number). Both health aspects are usually measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). To identify the blood pressure, high blood pressure is 140/90mmHg or higher, normal blood pressure ranges from 90/60mmHg to 120/80mmHg and low blood pressure is 90/60mmHg or lower. However, if the blood pressure result of an individual displays between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg, this means they are on the verge of getting high blood pressure hence should take precautions immediately (Trialists’Collaboration, 2005). It might be proposed that high blood pressure  causes gradual damage to arteries and veins that adversely affects the entire blood flow in the human body. Therefore, the chances of heart disease, stroke and heart failure are accelerated due to high blood pressure

Statistics shows that as per the results run by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute; almost 72 million people are affected with high blood pressure that constitutes 1 person in every 3 adults ("High Blood Pressure: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments", 2016). Moreover, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) also stated that in USA almost two-third of the aged people who are more than 65 years is affected with high blood pressure. The National Health Service in UK also displayed the survey results that more than 40% of British people are suffering from high blood pressure. Hence it is very important to know the effects of high blood pressure.
The most common effect is that it forces the heart to work at an accelerated rate which makes it grow weaker and this is felt in the entire body. Therefore, the general force within the arteries and veins is quite increased. As stated by the American Heart Association (AHA), if an individual has the blood pressure reading of 140/90 then he/she needs treatment to control high blood pressure (Matthews & Bellenir, 2004).
Additionally, it also causes gradual damage to arteries and veins that adversely affects the entire blood flow in the human body. Therefore, the chances of heart disease, stroke and heart failure are accelerated due to high blood pressure. Excessive hypertension results in the damage of arteries and it also narrows them. If the high blood pressure persists for a long time it results in aneurysm (happens when blood flows for a long time through the weakened arteries and makes it bulging and enlarges). This disease is extremely lethal as it leads to internal bleeding.Furthermore, the high blood pressure also destroys the normal function of the arteries which is known as coronary artery disease. It also leads to enlargement of the left portion of the heart where the left ventricle is usually thickened or gets stiff. This causes the risk of sudden cardiac death. High blood pressure also causes extreme damage to the brain as well. It leads to certain brain related health issues such as Transient ischemic attack (TIA), dementia, stroke and mild cognitive impairment (Kowalski, 2007).
High blood pressure also has an adverse effect of the excretory system of the human body. High blood pressure lessens the supply of oxygenated blood in the kidney which creates a barrier in the proper performance of the kidney. Therefore, it leads to kidney failure, kidney scarring and kidney artery aneurism. It also creates damage to the eyes and it also leads in sexual dysfunction of the human body. Since it is a known fact that the major cause of high blood pressure is hypertension, hence it has adverse effects on the health and mind of human body as well. Depression is another major health challenge these days and due to hypertension the blood pressure increases which further results in major depression. To support this, surveys have revealed the fact that in the USA, almost 95% of the high blood pressure cases are caused due to excessive hypertension (Larkin, 2005). This type of high blood pressure is also known as essential hypertension. It is also seen that majority of the most of the patients with high blood pressure are usually “salt sensitive”. If high blood pressure is not identified at the proper time, it can completely damage the entire function of the body that may lead to disability or even death.
ConclusionWith the help of the current paper it can be understood that high blood pressure is a very common health issue in today’s life. Though it is very common yet it should not be taken casually as it leads to several fatal health issues that either may cause serious damage to our body or even leads to death of an individual. The most essential way to reduce the cause of high blood pressure is to lead a healthy lifestyle that has almost disappeared from everyone’s life. Since its not easily identified as there are very few symptoms it is very essential to run a blood pressure check every 6 months to stay healthy. A patient affected with high blood pressure should maintain a very strict diet and healthy lifestyle to control. And last but not the least, a healthy lifestyle always leads to a beautiful and healthy life.