HEALTH

Women and High Blood Pressure

A lot of people believe that high blood pressure is more common among men, but the truth is that high blood pressure is an equal thing between both men and women. It is important to note that high blood pressure is not directly related to gender, but certain women’s issues can increase the risk of it. It is also important to know what a healthy blood pressure is. Researchers have found that birth control pills can increase blood pressure in some women. However, it’s more likely to occur if you are overweight or having some other issues related to pregnancy. A family history of high blood pressure is also a risk factor. So before you start taking any contraceptives, talk to your physician. 

To know if you have high or low blood pressure, you need to know what a healthy blood pressure level is. According to health experts, optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg (systolic pressure is 120 AND diastolic pressure is less than 80). Within certain limits, the lower your blood pressure reading is the better (www.heart.org). 

While high blood pressure might seem dangerous, low blood pressure could also be dangerous to health as well. In dealing with low blood pressure, it is important to know that dehydration can sometimes cause blood pressure to drop. However, dehydration does not automatically signal low blood pressure. Fever, vomiting, severe diarrhoea can all lead to dehydration, a potentially serious condition in which your body loses more water than you take in. Even mild dehydration (a loss of as little as 1 per cent to 2 per cent of body weight) can cause weakness, dizziness and fatigue. Lack of concentration, blurred vision, pale skin, shallow breathing, fatigue and depression are all associated with dehydration. As long as no symptoms are present, low blood pressure is not a problem. However, if your blood pressure is normally higher and if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, your low pressure may have an underlying cause.

High blood pressure is said to be the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure is also known as hypertension and it is dangerous because it makes the heart work much harder than normal to pump blood to the body. High blood pressure is a major cause of heart failure. The causes of HBP are not yet known, but several factors and conditions may play a vital role in its development, and these are:

Over weight 

Lack of physical activity

Too much salt in food

Smoking

Too much alcohol consumption

Stress (Emotional as well as physical)

Old age

Chronic kidney disease and 

Family history of HBP

Symptoms of high blood pressure are usually not obvious. There are no signs usually to indicate that one has HBP; headaches may occur in rare cases. One can have HBP for a long time without knowing it, and during this time, the condition can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidney and other parts of the body. That is why it is advised to regularly check your BP to avoid any delay in any case. 

People whose blood pressure is above the normal range should consult their doctors about steps to take to lower it and enjoy every day healthy life.

Rifkatu Yusuf.