1 post tagged “kidney failure”

High blood pressure means that your heart is pumping blood in a over active way. This is mainly because the circulation of blood is not proper. There can be two reasons for this first is failure or less than perfect functioning of hearth valves, lungs, kidneys etc. the second is any blockage to the veins. If your veins accumulate debris, the inside of the “hose” is narrowed at that spot. The heart then has to work harder to force your blood through the narrowed area.

High blood pressure is a risk for both heart disease and stroke.  Unfortunately, high blood pressure usually has no specific symptoms and no early warning signs. It directly increases the risk of heart disease.  High blood pressure is a risk for heart disease because the heart is working harder than normal thus putting the heart and the arteries under a greater strain.  When the heart is forced to work harder for long periods of time, the heart becomes enlarged. 

High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms.

Even if high blood pressure does cause symptoms, the symptoms are usually mild and nonspecific (vague, or suggesting many different disorders). Thus, high blood pressure often is labeled "the silent killer"

Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.Although a few people with early-stage high blood pressure may have dull headaches, dizzy spells or a few more nosebleeds than normal, these signs and symptoms typically don't occur until high blood pressure has reached an advanced — possibly life-threatening — stage.

High blood pressure can cause symptoms via other organ systems. For example, high blood pressure damages blood vessels, and can lead to dangerous complications such as heart attack and stroke. This damage may, in turn, cause symptoms that are serious enough that people make a visit to a doctor to have them checked out.

Blood pressure that is persistently higher than 140/ 90 mm Hg usually is treated with lifestyle modifications and medication. If the diastolic pressure remains at a borderline level (usually under 90 mm Hg, yet persistently above 85), however, more aggressive treatment also may be started in certain circumstances. These circumstances include borderline diastolic pressures in association with end-organ damage, systolic hypertension, or factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as age over 65 years, African American decent, smoking, hyperlipemia (elevated blood fats), or diabetes.

Treating high blood pressure can help prevent serious — even life-threatening — complications. Your doctor also may suggest steps to control conditions that can contribute to high blood pressure, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. Blood pressure goals aren't the same for everyone. Although everyone should strive for blood pressure readings below 140/90, doctors recommend lower readings for people with certain conditions.

Many people can lower their blood pressure significantly with lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and exercise, but most still need medication to keep their blood pressure in the healthy range. Whichever therapy you choose, it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure that your treatment is working. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, vision problems, and stroke.