High blood pressure or hypertension refers to medical disorder which can lead to and other mental health problems, cardiac failure, stroke, and kidney failure.

The definition of blood pressure is very self explanatory and it is the pressure applied by the blood on the inner walls of the arteries when the heart pumps it. It is very unnatural for the pressure to stay high for a long period of time. It could adversely affect the body in a lot of different ways.

Blood pressure is not constant. As heart beats and relaxes with a steady rhythm, the blood pressure levels also vary due to the alteration of heartbeats and resting period. When heart beats, it exerts pressure on the walls increasing the blood pressure and when it relaxes, it exerts less pressure thus lowering the blood pressure levels. Similarly, there is variation in blood pressure levels when you are sitting, running, walking, and standing.

The blood vessels can accommodate optimal amount of pressure and if too strong pressure is exerted by the heart, it results in damaging them.

 Symptoms and Diagnosis of high blood pressure

About 1 in 3 adults around the globe have high blood pressure. As such there are no symptoms related, you can have high blood pressure for years without knowing. It can also cause a lot of damages to your mental health and other parts of the body.

Hypertension can show non-specific symptoms like headache, dizziness, and blurred vision. Only regular visits to the doctor can help diagnose high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured with the help of a blood pressure measurement device. Only several readings by the doctor can confirm hypertension.

 How is blood pressure measured?

 The pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury and recorded in two numbers. The pressure while the heart beats is systolic pressure and the pressure while the heart relaxes is diastolic pressure. The systolic is written first and then the diastolic. The blood pressure is considered high when it measures 140/ 90 mmHg or higher over a time duration.

  How is blood pressure related to mental health?

If you have been diagnosed with a chronic disease like hypertension, it can vastly increase the depression and stress in you. Visiting the doctor for checkups frequently leads to anxiety thus increasing your pressure levels out of fear.

Therefore, mental health illness is associated to some extent with high blood pressure and leading to other physical illness as well. Family, friends and social support groups can help in managing mental problems and inducing positive changes in the patient’s lifestyle making it easier for them to proactively improve their overall health. 

 How can you prevent and control high blood pressure?

Change in your lifestyle and healthy habits will help you to control your high blood pressure.

• Maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure.
• Exercise everyday since it maintains the circulation of blood and lowers the risk of heart diseases and other mental health problems.
• A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and low fat dairy products is vital.
• Intake less salt in diet because more of sodium increases blood pressure levels.
• Drinking alcohol and smoking affects the blood pressure and mental health and therefore it should be avoided.
• Medicines of high blood pressure should be taken under prescription of the doctor because you might have to take them for the rest of your life.

High blood pressure patients may not feel sick or ill but they are nevertheless heading for trouble if they do not bring their pressure under control. Your failure to maintain a healthy lifestyle and eating habits will result in resumption and slow damaging of your mental health and physical health.

In this age of medicine, it is particularly important not to underestimate the benefits of a nutritional diet, exercise and weight maintenance. Although they are not the medicines and such, they surely are more effective in maintaining the overall physical and mental health of the individual.

All about High Blood Pressure is a post from: Mental Health