According to the World Heart Federation, hypertension is a common condition that affects one billion people worldwide, or one in four adults. Globally, it’s the number one risk factor of death. In this blog post, Florida Kidney Physicians (FKP) will detail the symptoms and risk factors associated with high blood pressure.
Summary
The beginning of the blog will teach you how to identify hypertension. We’ll discuss the following topics:
- Silent Nature of Hypertension
- Common Symptoms
- Hypertensive Crisis
Next, we’ll cover hypertension risk factors. These include:
- Age and Gender Influence
- Family History
- Lifestyle Choices
- Medical Conditions
- Stress and Mental Health
Toward the end of the blog, we’ll share some helpful, proactive measures you can take to keep your blood pressure numbers within normal range. We’ll explain the importance of:
- Regular Blood Pressure Screenings
- Self-Monitoring at Home
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices
- Collaboration with Healthcare Providers
Our blog on the symptoms and risk factors of high blood pressure will conclude by encouraging you to embrace the pivotal you play role in taking charge of your cardiovascular health and keeping your kidneys healthy.
Decoding the Signals: Recognizing Symptoms and Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure
Have you secretly wondered if you have high blood pressure? In this blog post, Florida Kidney Physicians (FKP) will discuss common risk factors and then explore the symptoms of high blood pressure. As with every blog post we publish, it is our intention to help you better understand all the ways you can make kidney health a cornerstone of your overall well-being.
Identifying Hypertension
Doctors take your blood pressure during every visit because it’s important for them to determine if it’s high, low, or within normal range. Here’s why.
- Silent Nature of Hypertension
Hypertension is known as “the silent killer.” That’s because unlike, say, a urinary tract infection, which would have some obvious symptoms such as pain or burning while urinating, hypertension often doesn’t produce overt symptoms. It’s possible, therefore, to live with high blood pressure for years without knowing it, especially if you don’t schedule regular check-ups with your doctor. It’s for this reason that routine blood pressure screenings are crucial so you can lead a healthy, long life. - Common Symptoms
Again, symptoms of high blood pressure aren’t entirely obvious to most people. For those who do notice symptoms of high blood pressure, most are rather subtle: headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, or visual disturbances. What’s problematic about these symptoms is that they can be easily mistaken for common ailments such as stress or fatigue. If you notice these or any other symptoms of high blood pressure that concern you, we advise you to seek prompt medical attention; timely intervention will ensure that you receive appropriate, personalized care. - Hypertensive Crisis
Hypertensive crisis is characterized by a sudden and unforeseen spike in your blood pressure. When this happens, you’ll immediately become aware of worrying symptoms such as a severe headache, chest pain, nausea, and confusion. The manifestation of these symptoms indicates that your blood pressure has reached dangerously high levels, and an urgent medical intervention is necessary to prevent organ damage.
Understanding Risk Factors
Understanding the following high blood pressure risk factors will enable you to determine if you are at greater risk of having or developing hypertension.
- Age and Gender Influence
Both age and gender can increase your risk of hypertension. Research has shown that men, postmenopausal women, and individuals over the age of 60 tend to be more susceptible to developing hypertension. If you belong to one or more of these demographics, we encourage you to undergo regular blood pressure screenings.
- Family History
A genetic predisposition can also increase your risk of high blood pressure. If any of your close relatives have been diagnosed with hypertension, please share this information with your healthcare team so they can be prepared to help you either proactively monitor your blood pressure or successfully manage it. - Lifestyle Choices
Spending long periods of time sitting or lying down, making poor dietary choices, and drinking too much alcohol are all lifestyle choices that can lead to the development of hypertension. Talk to your doctor about ways to limit your salt intake, decrease your alcohol consumption, and establish a daily exercise routine that can help you maintain a healthy weight. The changes you make and lifestyle modifications you implement into your routine can go a long way in ensuring that your blood pressure stays within normal range. - Medical Conditions
There’s a strong correlation between high blood pressure and chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and hormonal disorders. If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely so you can manage your underlying health issues and, in turn, keep your kidneys and heart healthy along the way. - Stress and Mental Health
Everyone experiences stress, but chronic stress is a problem because it can lead to high blood pressure. Whether you feel stressed at work, home, school, or in another environment, we strongly encourage you to find proven ways to cope with stress and prioritize your mental health. Some people find meditating, reading, exercising, and counseling to be beneficial when it comes to reducing their stress levels. Incorporating coping mechanisms that work best for you will be well worth your time and effort.
Encouraging Proactive Measures
What proactive measures, if any, are you taking to either prevent or manage high blood pressure? Let’s review some effective ways you can keep your heart healthy in both the short-term and long-term.
- Regular Blood Pressure Screenings
Regular blood pressure screenings are an excellent way for you and your doctors to record potential patterns, determine if your lifestyle modifications are working, and to better understand if you might be at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. If you are aware that you are at a higher risk of developing hypertension, please schedule routine check-ups and participate in community health screenings; this proactive approach really could save your life. - Self-Monitoring at Home
Another way to take control of your cardiovascular health and monitor your blood pressure is to invest in a home blood pressure monitor, which you can buy at a drug store, medical supply store, or retailer near you. Regular self-monitoring will allow you to track your blood pressure in the comfort of your own home in between your medical appointments, and the readings you can share with your doctor will provide useful information about your cardiovascular health. - Healthy Lifestyle Choices
There are many ways you can adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. At FKP, we strongly recommend eating a balanced diet that’s low in sodium. Engaging in regular physical activity, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your alcohol intake, and managing stress through mindfulness practices are other excellent ways to keep your blood pressure numbers in check. - Collaboration with Healthcare Providers
Your healthcare providers want what’s best for you. Staying in regular communication with them will facilitate early detection and lead to the successful management of high blood pressure. During your appointments, please be sure to share new or worsening symptoms, changes in your family’s medical history, and lifestyle modifications you’ve made or would like to make. Be open and honest so you and your doctor can engage in conversations that will leave you feeling confident in your care plan and empowered to follow it.
Empowering Through Awareness and Action
In this blog post, we highlighted the subtle symptoms of high blood pressure and the risk factors that can lead to its development. We also shared some actionable measures you can take to either prevent or manage this condition.
The earlier you are treated for high blood pressure, the better your health outcome. Maintaining a heightened awareness of hypertension demonstrates that you’re committed to playing a pivotal role in your kidney health and heart health, and we applaud you for that!
If you’re concerned that you may be experiencing symptoms of high blood pressure—or that you’re at increased risk of developing it—talk to your healthcare team as soon as possible. FKP is here for you, and our experts can supply information, expert guidance, and the empathy you deserve as you navigate your journey toward optimal kidney health.