Everything To Know About Blood Pressure

Without blood pressure, nutrients and oxygen would not reach your tissues and organs. In addition, blood pressure helps carry out the toxic waste in your body through the liver and kidneys. When the heart beats, it pumps the blood into the arteries. Blood pressure is the highest when your heart thumps while pumping the blood, termed systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest between the beats and your blood pressure falls, it’s called diastolic pressure.

Blood Pressure Category

The American Heart Association, Explains blood pressure ranges as: 

Normal

The usual range of blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg or less. So if you fall in his category, stick with your healthy habits and dietary plan.

Elevated

When the blood pressure ranges between 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic, these categories of people are likely to get high blood pressure unless you take steps to control it. 

Hypertension Stage 1

When blood pressure ranges consistently from 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic, a doctor is likely to give you medication and advice to change your lifestyle based on you being prone to getting atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), such as heart attack or stroke.

Hypertension Stage 2

When your blood pressure ranges at 140/90 mm Hg or higher, it is considered hypertension stage 2. Doctors are likely to suggest a lifestyle change and prescribe blood pressure medication.

Hypertensive Crisis

This stage of crisis requires immediate medication. If your blood pressure exceeds 180/120 mm Hg, wait for a few minutes and then check again. If it is still unusually high, immediately contact your doctor to avoid possible damage to your body organs, especially kidney failure.

What High And Low Numbers Indicate

If the number is higher than the ideal range, that means the heart is working hard to pump the blood to other body organs. If it is less, it means blood pressure is too low and doesn’t provide your body and heart with sufficient oxygenated blood.

How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Kidneys?

High blood pressure can narrow and constrict the blood vessels damaging and weakening them throughout the body. The flow of blood reduces due to the contraction of the blood vessel. If kidney vessels get damaged, they will not be able to remove waste and extra fluid from the body causing high blood pressure and causing damage leading to kidney failure.

Likeliness To Have High Blood Pressure Or Kidney Disease?

• Blood pressure tends to increase while getting old.
• If you have family members with high blood pressure, it tends to run in the family.
• Drinking too many alcoholic beverages or too much sodium can increase high BP.
• Men are more likely to experience this before 55, while women are more likely to have symptoms after 55. 
• The risk of kidney disease can also increase due to diabetes, family history of kidney failure, and race or ethnicity.

Symptoms Of Getting High Blood Pressure And Kidney Diseases 

Most people do not have symptoms of high blood pressure; however, early chronic kidney disease also doesn’t show signs. As kidney disease worsens, people may have swelling in the legs, feet, ankle, or less often in hands or face.

Symptoms Of Advanced Kidney Failure

• Loss Of Hunger And Vomiting 
• Tiredness And Sleep Problems
• Decreased Or Increased Urination 
• Loss Of Weight
• Cramps In Muscle
• Shortness Of Breath And Chest Pain

Tips To Prevent Kidney Disease From High Blood Pressure

The best way to prevent or slow kidney disease is to lower blood pressure by following a healthy lifestyle.

Physical Activity

Doing physical exercise can help lower your blood pressure and reduce heart diseases. Aerobic activities help best in maintaining your body’s health.

Bodyweight

If you are overweight, try reducing your weight by 7% to 10% in the first year of your high blood pressure treatment.

Smoking

Smoking is hazardous to your heart. If you have high blood pressure, immediately quit smoking as it damages your blood vessels.

Stress

Avoid stress and relax your mind by doing yoga, listening to music, or meditating to improve mental and physical health.

Conclusion 

To avoid getting high blood pressure, follow the points mentioned earlier for a healthy life. Maintain healthy habits and standard doctor’s checkups. The earlier you notice you have high blood pressure, the better. You can receive help and medication to help get you back in healthy shape.