Hypertension is when the pressure of blood flowing through your blood vessels is very high. Hypertension can sometimes present with no symptoms at all and the best way to detect it is by regular medical health check ups. According to WHO, 46% of adults with hypertension are going about their daily lives completely unaware of it.
Symptoms to look out for:
- Headache
- Visual problems
- Vomiting
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Nosebleeds
Complications of untreated hypertension includes:
- Angina or chest pain
- Myocardial Infarction or heart attack
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmias or irregular heartbeat beat which can lead to sudden death
- Stroke
Certain factors put people at a higher risk of becoming hypertensive:
- Older age
- Being overweight
- Not being physically active
- Family history of hypertension
- High salt diet
- High alcohol intake
How can you help yourself?
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, it is important that you check your blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer daily and keep note of it. Monitoring your blood pressure gives your physician and yourself a better idea of whether the intervention prescribed is working or not. It also helps monitor severity.
A low salt diet or the DASH diet which focuses on green vegetables, fruits and whole grains can help lower your blood pressure. Regular exercise can also help you manage your blood pressure.
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