Increased or decreased blood pressure

Understanding Blood Pressure:
High and Low Levels

Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and consists of two values:
Systolic Pressure –
the pressure when the heart pumps blood.

Diastolic Pressure –
the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.

Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg, but variations can lead to health issues.

Causes:

Genetics
Poor diet (high salt intake, excessive alcohol consumption)
Obesity
Lack of physical activity
Chronic kidney disease
Stress

Symptoms:

Often asymptomatic (silent killer)
Headaches
Dizziness
Nosebleeds
Shortness of breath (in severe cases)

Risks:

Stroke
Heart attack
Heart failure
Kidney failure

Management:

Lifestyle changes: Healthy diet (low salt, high potassium), exercise, stress reduction.
Medications: Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers.

Causes:

Dehydration
Blood loss
Endocrine problems
Heart diseases (heart failure, arrhythmias)
Certain medications (like beta-blockers)

Symptoms:

Dizziness
Fainting
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Shock (in severe cases)

Management:

Increase fluid and salt intake (if advised by a doctor).

Identify and treat underlying causes.

Medications: Midodrine or fludrocortisone for chronic hypotension.

Conclusion

Both high and low blood pressure can lead to serious health conditions. Regular monitoring and managing underlying causes are crucial. Always consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Information resources recommended

1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Chronic Stable Angina

https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2024/02/05/11/43/2023-ESH-Hypertension-Guideline-Update

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hyp.0000000000000065

https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2017/11/08/11/47/mon-5pm-bp-guideline-aha-2017

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29133356/

https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2017/11/09/11/41/2017-Guideline-for-High-Blood-Pressure-in-Adults

2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes

https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Elevated-Blood-Pressure-and-Hypertension

https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/45/38/3912/7741010

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37345492/

https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/33/3021/5079119

https://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(24)00238-3/fulltext

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