There are two main types of high blood pressure:ġ. Gender: The risk for women increases after menopause, putting them in even greater jeopardy than men.Ethnicity: High blood pressure is more common among people who are of African, South Asian, or First Nations descent.Age: About 50% of people older than the age of 65 have high blood pressure.There are some risk factors you cannot control, and these put you at greater risk for high blood pressure (hypertension). In this case, they have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms of hypotension may include: Low blood pressure can be considered “normal pressure” to some people who have low blood pressure all the time. What is considered low blood pressure may vary from person to person. Hypotension is a medical concern only if it causes signs or symptoms or is linked to a serious condition, such as heart disease. People who take certain high blood pressure medications, such as diuretics, have an increased risk for low blood pressure. Hypotension indicates that the force of your blood flow is inadequate, and this could mean certain of your vital organs are not receiving enough blood. It can be just as serious and dangerous as high blood pressure and should not be ignored. Hypotension, otherwise known as low blood pressure, is a reading of less than 90/60. If your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 135 and/or your diastolic is between 80 and 85, you should take the necessary steps to decrease your blood pressure Pre-hypertension indicates you have slightly surpassed the ideal target values and are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, which may require medical therapy. If damage has occurred, you may have symptoms that include: You could have high blood pressure for years without knowing it, putting you at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and organ damage. People with high blood pressure are often not aware they have it until they are diagnosed by a health care professional. High blood pressure has been called the silent killer because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Also, plaques can break away from the artery wall and cause a blockage elsewhere. A narrowing artery can become completely blocked, leading to a heart attack. This causes a type of cardiovascular disease known as coronary artery disease.
High blood pressure contributes to cardiovascular disease through the scarring of artery walls where plaque can build up and narrow the vessels. Any added force can damage arteries and increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure, or hypertension, makes your heart work a lot harder and, while doing so, causes excess force on your artery walls. This indicates that to reduce your risk of developing a serious condition, like heart disease, you should make significant lifestyle changes, including even medication, to lower your blood pressure. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is present when there are consistent measures that exceed 135/85 (or readings higher than 130/80 for people with diabetes or kidney disease). In addition to your normal, or “ideal,” blood pressure values, there are three categories of blood pressure - hypertension, pre-hypertension, and hypotension - each of which has a different impact on your health. When your blood pressure numbers are consistently greater than 135/85, you’re considered to have high blood pressure, or hypertension (but if you have diabetes or kidney disease, 130/80 is considered a high reading). Healthy blood pressure Optimal blood pressure is a reading of lower than 120/80.
During this phase, your heart fills with blood in advance of the next beat.
This pressure is very important because it allows the blood to flow through the arteries and deliver nutrients to all the organs of your body. How does blood pressure relate to cardiovascular disease?īlood pressure is the result of circulating blood exerting pressure against the walls of your arteries.