Hypertension
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading cause of kidney disease.
01. What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels as your heart pumps blood around your body. When you have high blood pressure, it means the pressure is too high. High blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
02. How do I know if I have high blood pressure?
Most people with high blood pressure do not have any symptoms. You can have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. For this reason, it is often called a “silent killer.” The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured.
03. How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure is measured by using a blood pressure cuff around your arm. The cuff is pumped up and then let down while listening for the pulse sound.
Blood pressure is measured as two numbers. The top number (called “systolic pressure”) is the pressure when your heart is beating. The bottom number (called “diastolic pressure”) is the pressure when your heart is resting between beats. A blood pressure of 120/80 is read as “120 over 80.”
Normal blood pressure in adults 18 and older is less than 120/80. In general, for adults 18 and older, blood pressure that stays at 140/90 or more is considered high.
A single high reading may not mean you have high blood pressure. It should be confirmed on follow-up visits to your healthcare provider.
04.Is high blood pressure serious?
Yes. High blood pressure can cause problems in many organs in your body, including your kidneys and your heart. It makes your heart work harder. Over time, this can cause your heart to become larger and weaker, which increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes. It can also cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys. Over time, this can lead to kidney disease or kidney failure. It can also lead to early death. In fact, according to a recent report from the American Heart Association, high blood pressure contributes to nearly 1,000 deaths per day!
05.What are high blood pressure causes?
The exact causes of high blood pressure are unknown. However, smoking, being overweight, or having too much salt in your diet may play a role.
06.How is high treated?
There is no cure for high blood pressure. But treatment and healthy lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure and reduce health risks associated with high blood pressure.
07.Can children have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is common in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
08.How the patient can be helped by their support system?
Family meal planning, exercising, and supporting your loved one with high blood pressure.