Conditions

High Blood Pressure

Severely elevated blood pressure readings

The Silent Strain: Understanding and Managing High Blood Pressure

For over two decades, I’ve listened to countless patients say the same thing:
"But I felt perfectly fine." And yet, behind the calm of a regular day, their blood pressure had been rising—quietly, persistently—until the first sign of trouble was a heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often called the silent killer—and for good reason. It rarely causes symptoms until damage is already done. But with the right knowledge and action, it’s entirely manageable—and even preventable.

What Is Hypertension?

Think of your arteries as flexible highways delivering oxygen-rich blood to every organ. Now imagine those highways under constant high pressure. Over time, that pressure wears them down—affecting your heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes.

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

• Systolic pressure: the force when your heart pumps blood out
• Diastolic pressure: the pressure when your heart rests between beats
• A normal reading is less than 120/80 mmHg. If yours consistently reads 130/80 mmHg or higher, it’s time to talk to your doctor.

Why Does High Blood Pressure Happen?

Hypertension doesn’t appear overnight. It creeps up, often due to:

• Family history
• Unhealthy eating habits, especially high salt intake
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking or excessive alcohol
• Obesity
• Medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or thyroid issues

There are two main types:

• Primary (essential) hypertension: Gradual onset, often lifestyle or genetic
• Secondary hypertension: Caused by another condition or medication

You May Not Feel It—But It’s There

Most people with high blood pressure don’t feel any different. But sometimes, there are warning signs:

• Frequent headaches
• Dizziness
• Chest discomfort
• Blurred vision
• Shortness of breath
• Don’t wait for these symptoms to show up. Routine blood pressure checks are your best defense.

What Can High Blood Pressure Do to Your Body?

Unchecked, hypertension can silently wreak havoc:

• Heart disease and stroke: The leading causes of death globally
• Kidney failure: A result of damaged blood vessels
• Vision loss: From hypertensive damage to the retina
• Aneurysms: Weakening and bulging of arteries
• Cognitive decline: Due to reduced brain perfusion
• In emergencies—called hypertensive crises—blood pressure spikes above 180/120 mmHg. This is life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention.

How Is Hypertension Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is more than a single reading. We look at trends:

• Office measurements
• 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
• Home monitoring
• Additional labs for kidney function, blood sugar, cholesterol, and more
• Understanding your numbers is key:

How Do You Treat and Manage Hypertension?

Step 1: Lifestyle first.

• Eat a DASH-style diet: Fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins
• Exercise regularly: Even brisk walking counts
• Limit salt, quit smoking, and cut back on alcohol
• Manage stress with breathing, mindfulness, or movement

Step 2: Medications if needed.
Depending on your profile, your doctor may prescribe:

• ACE inhibitors
• Beta-blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics
• A personalized treatment plan, often combining medication with lifestyle changes, provides the best long-term control.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Call emergency services if you experience:

• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Severe headache or confusion
• Sudden weakness or numbness
• Trouble speaking or vision loss
• Extremely high BP (180/120 mmHg or more)
• These may be signs of a hypertensive emergency or even a stroke.

Can Hypertension Be Prevented?

Yes—and often quite simply:

• Eat less salt
• Stay active
• Sleep well
• Keep your weight in check
• Handle stress proactively
• These small, consistent choices make a big difference over time.

Professional high blood pressure services. Expert diagnosis, treatment, and management for optimal cardiovascular health.