How does hypertension happen?

Hypertension occurs when the body’s smaller blood vessels (the arterioles) narrow, causing the blood to exert excessive pressure against the vessel walls and forcing the heart to work harder to maintain the pressure.

What causes a person to have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure.

What should you do if you have high blood pressure?

Everyone with high blood pressure is advised to make healthy lifestyle changes. Whether medicine is also recommended depends on your blood pressure reading and your risk of developing problems such as heart attacks or strokes.

How can you tell if you have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure.

How do you take a blood pressure reading?

A blood pressure reading is taken with a pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer). During the test, the cuff is placed around the upper arm before being manually or electronically inflated.

What are the risk factors for developing hypertension?

Risk factors for developing hypertension include excessive sodium intake, low potassium intake, excessive alcohol intake, lack of exercise, smoking, stress, family history, age (>55 for men, >65 for women), and obesity ( BMI >30kg/m2).

What’s the fastest way to reduce blood pressure naturally?

The fastest way to reduce blood pressure naturally is slow breathing. Yes, slow breathing has been shown to lower blood pressure rapidly. This is particularly relevant if you’re in a stressful situation, as when we’re stressed we tend to breathe more rapidly.

How does hypertension kill you?

By narrowing or an aneurysm of the arteries supplying the brain, hypertension can eventually lead to death of brain tissue. Depending on how severe it is, it may be fatal. The brain is the most oxygen-sensitive organ in the body.

What foods kill high blood pressure?

Magnesium and potassium are two minerals that aid in the fight against blood pressure, and baked potatoes are rich in both minerals.