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high blood pressure symptoms

High Blood Pressure Signs & Symptoms

Why is it important to know if you have high blood pressure? Early detection of high blood pressure also called hypertension is vital. Frequently referred to as the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms. And measurement of your blood pressure is often the only sign.

It’s important to be aware of the presence of other symptoms and how they may be associated with elevations in blood pressure. Below are some signs or symptoms that deserve further assessment. They may point to other serious medical conditions in which high blood pressure is present.

  • Hypokalemia (lower than average potassium level)
  • Chest Pain
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Palpitations
  • Peripheral Edema
  • Headaches
  • Blurred or impaired vision
  • Neurologic Deficits (i.e., garbled speech, numbness, or weakness in one extremity)
  • Thyroid Disfunction (i.e., Fatigue/Tiredness, weight gain or loss, heat intolerance)
  • Snoring

High Blood Pressure Causes

The human body has its own internal regulatory system that works to maintain healthy blood pressure. When this system is disrupted, the blood pressure can become uncontrolled and contribute to further disease and dysfunction. Genetics, age, race, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle choices are associated with hypertension.

Primary and Secondary Hypertension

There are two categories of hypertension: primary and secondary.

Primary

When there’s no known disease causing the elevation in blood pressure, it’s referred to as primary hypertension. Primary hypertension is the result of lifestyle choices.

Secondary

Secondary hypertension occurs as a result of a disease or condition. This can include adrenal dysfunction, kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, insulin resistance, pregnancy, thyroid disease, immune dysregulation, or medication side effects.

The understanding that high blood pressure is an inflammatory process allows for functional medicine to shine. Finding the root cause through a functional medicine approach enables patients to apply lifestyle choices as primary and secondary prevention.

Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure

As previously mentioned, there are many risk factors for hypertension.

Age: Aging is associated with inflammation. So it’s not surprising blood pressure increases with age. Men are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure compared to women. However, over the age of 60, the rates are similar. Unfortunately, due to the higher levels of metabolic disease, we are now seeing increasing rates in children as young as six years of age.

Genetics: Family history increases one's risk of developing high blood pressure. There is much discussion regarding the role of genetics and how much impact one's lifestyle and environment contribute to gene activation.

Stress: Can come in many forms, from psychosocial to physiologic. Troubled relationships, poor socioeconomic status, or job burnout are examples of psychosocial stress that can directly affect one's blood pressure. Physiological stress includes insulin resistance, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, sleep apnea, hormone dysregulation, and toxicity.

Dietary Choices: It’s well documented how dietary choices are associated with blood pressure control. Magnesium, Potassium, and Omega-3 fats are a few nutrients necessary for blood pressure maintenance.

Physical Activity: Individuals who lead inactive lifestyles are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This includes elevated blood pressure. Exercise is highly recommended for the prevention of hypertension.

High Cholesterol: Cholesterol plaque and calcium cause arteries to become hardened and narrower. This causes the heart to have to pump harder to push the blood through them. As a result, this increases blood pressure.

Preventative Measures

Lifestyle changes can help lower high blood pressure. Many who make these changes will still need to take medicine.

These lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure.

Do:

  • Eat more vegetables and fruits
  • Sit less
  • Be more physically active, which can include walking, running, swimming, dancing, or activities that build strength, like lifting weights
    • Get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity
    • Do strength building exercises 2 or more days each week.
  • Lose weight if overweight or obese
  • Take medicines as prescribed by health care professionals
  • Keep appointments with health care professionals

Don't:

  • Eat too much salty food (try to stay under 2 grams per day)
  • Eat foods high in saturated or trans fats
  • Smoke or use tobacco
  • Drink too much alcohol (1 drink daily max for women, 2 for men)
  • Miss or share medication.

Reducing hypertension prevents heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage, as well as other health problems.

Reduce the risks of hypertension by:

  • Reducing and managing stress
  • Regularly checking blood pressure
  • Treating high blood pressure
  • Managing other medical conditions.

Ready to take the first step?

It’s all about finding the right plan for your heart health needs. Call one of our licensed insurance agents today.

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MR1059(3) 3/2024