Headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, chest pain and shortness of breath are some symptoms of Hypertension or High Blood Pressure, but because it usually causes no symptoms, whether you are experiencing these signs or not, you need to have your Blood Pressure or “BP” measured.

Do you have an idea what blood pressure is? Why it should be measured? And how are we going to measure it? How would I know if it’s normal? Why should we consider its essence? In this article, these questions will not remain unanswered.

“Blood pressure” is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways. We really need to have this pressure monitored so we are aware with the stand of our health.

What device is capable of measuring it? Sphygmomanometer, a device used to measure blood pressure, comprised by an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. Manual sphygmomanometers are used in conjunction with a stethoscope. The word comes from the Greek sphygmós (pulse), plus the scientific term manometer (pressure meter). The device was invented by Samuel Siegfried Karl Ritter von Basch in 1881.

A person’s blood pressure or BP usually refers to the systemic arterial pressure measured at a person’s upper arm and is usually expressed in terms of the systolic pressure over diastolic pressure (mmHg), for example 140/90, read as one hundred forty over ninety.

After I got the result of my blood pressure, how would I know if it’s normal or not? As studies show, the term Normal is used for the BP of a large population, 100 subjects with no known history of hypertension, an average blood pressure of 112/64 mmHg was found, which are the normal values. However, there are factors that influence an individual’s BP’s average value such as age and gender. In children, the normal ranges are lower than for adults and depend on height. As adults age, systolic pressure tends to rise and diastolic tends to fall. In the elderly, BP tends to be above the normal adult range, largely because of reduced flexibility of the arteries.

As the pressure arises, this may lead you to Hypertension or High Blood Pressure (HBP), a serious condition that may lead to Coronary Heart/Artery Disease, heart and kidney failure or even stroke.

There are symptoms that are associated with hypertension such as headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, a flushed face and fatigue but still experienced with those who do not have HBP. If a person has high blood pressure that is severe and left untreated, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, restlessness, and blurred vision can occur as a result of damage to the brain, eyes, heart and kidneys.

Even if you are not experiencing the symptoms of Hypertension, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you do not have a high blood pressure. Remember, “No Symptom” is the common sign of this illness, it is a Silent Killer. So the best way to keep healthy and fit, have your blood pressure monitored regularly. There is no age exception for this condition. Be aware of your heart, take good care of your body and be the best manager of yourself. For God lend it to you with trust and you are accountable for it. Health is Wealth.

“Before I deliver my eldest, I never thought I had one. No symptoms felt at all but after my operation, that’s the time I experienced blurred vision and frequent dizziness.”

A 20- year old lady, who had failed to deliver a child normally due to Eclampsia, stated that the main reason of her having a Caesarean section delivery is because of the severe high blood pressure.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are collectively called Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and toxemia of pregnancy. This is just one dysfunction High Blood Pressure may cause you.

It is very alarming that a simple dizziness you feel may lead you into a severe disease causing your suffering or even death. Have you ever asked yourself, what makes this Blood Pressure rise? There are factors that contribute developing High Blood Pressure.

AGE: The older the person, the higher the risk of having hypertension due to arteriosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries.”

HEREDITY: Hypertension is hereditary; it appears to run in the family

GENDER: Men are more prone of having HBP than women

These are factors that are given or you can’t change and there are also causes that can be avoided to lessen the risk of hypertension.

OBESITY: obese people are 2-6 times more likely to develop hypertension

SODIUM: people having high sensitivity to sodium or salt increases HBP if they use salt. Reducing salt usage lessen risk of having high blood pressure.

Alcohol use: Drinking more than one to two drinks of alcohol per day tends to raise blood pressure in those who are sensitive to alcohol.

Lack of exercise (physical inactivity): A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of obesity and high blood pressure.

Medications: Certain drugs, such as amphetamines (stimulants), diet pills, and some medications used for cold and allergy symptoms such as pseudoephedrine, tend to raise blood pressure.

Birth control pills (oral contraceptive use): Some women who take birth control pills develop high blood pressure.

Once these are tolerated, the higher chance of having hypertension you’ll gain. We shouldn’t be unconcern of what we feel or of what we do not, because hypertension is a Silent Killer. You may not feel anything bad or unusual because you will never know you have until it is measured.