High Blood Pressure
An individual can have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. However, the internal damage it causes can be severe ranging from kidney failure to heart attack and stroke. Hence, a regular checkup will help diagnose the problem at an early stage. Once diagnosed, lifestyle changes and medication can help normalize blood pressure levels. Here, we enable you to understand the causes and risk factors of high blood pressure.
Causes of High Diastolic Blood Pressure Readings
Obesity, improper diet, and stress are the most prominent causes for high diastolic blood pressure. This Buzzle article provides information on the causes and remedies for high blood pressure in detail.
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by blood on the walls of
arteries. A sphygmomanometer is a device used to measure blood pressure.
Blood pressure readings have two numbers: the greater number (written
on the top) is the systolic blood pressure reading; while the lower or
the number written at the bottom, is known as diastolic blood pressure
reading. For e.g., the normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg (or
millimeters of mercury), where 120 mm Hg is the systolic blood pressure,
and 80 mm Hg is diastolic blood pressure.
Depending on the readings, or rather numbers, of blood pressure, it can be diagnosed whether a person has a normal, high, or low blood pressure. Abnormally high or low blood pressure is dangerous and can give rise to several life-threatening disorders. High diastolic blood pressure is when the blood pressure rises to 90 mm Hg or higher.
» What Causes High Diastolic Blood Pressure
❤ Obesity
When the weight of the person is higher than normal, the excess fats (in the form of cholesterol) in the body get deposited along the walls of the arteries, narrowing them. Due to this, the heart has to pump harder, leading to increase in the blood pressure.
❤ Improper Diet
Having an improper diet comprising excess fatty, salty and high cholesterol-containing foods, is another prominent cause of high blood pressure. Salty foodstuff increase the sodium levels of the blood leading to hypertension. A diet high in saturated and trans-fat can damage the blood vessels.
❤ Smoking and Alcoholism
Increase in the blood pressure is one of the harmful effects of smoking. The nicotine present in tobacco affects the heart in many ways. It decreases the level of oxygen to the heart, increases the heart rate, and constricts the blood vessels. Excess consumption of alcohol also affects the blood pressure. Alcoholic drinks have high calories that lead to weight gain, and indirectly high blood pressure. Similarly, drugs and excess caffeine increase the risk of hypertension.
❤ Sedentary Lifestyle
Lack of exercise affects the blood pressure in different ways. Leading a sedentary lifestyle for a long time leads to weight gain and increase in cholesterol levels. You may not be aware, but, sedentary lifestyle is one of the risk factors for a large number of illnesses, the prominent one being heart disease.
Increasing age and stress are some of the other causes of hypertension. However, these days, hypertension is also found in younger adults, because of the improper, changing, and stress-filled lifestyle.
There may be a possibility that you do not have any other risk factors, but, still have a higher diastolic pressure. You may even have a normal systolic pressure, but, higher diastolic pressure. This condition is known as isolated diastolic hypertension. Although this is not a completely dangerous situation, you need to follow measures to lower the blood pressure. This is because there may be a possibility that, over time, the systolic pressure may also increase.
» How to Lower High Diastolic Blood Pressure
In many cases, apart from frequent headache and fatigue, no prominent symptoms are observed. Therefore, it is recommended to have your blood pressure checked regularly. There are several natural methods that help in controlling high blood pressure.
❤ Have a Healthy Diet
As you have observed that having an improper diet directly and indirectly leads to hypertension, it is wise to make changes in your diet and have healthy eating habits. You should limit the intake of foods containing high amounts of sodium, fats, and cholesterol. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy forms of meat in your diet. Healthy eating will help in reducing weight, and consequently, reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
❤ Exercise Regularly
Exercising for 20-30 minutes regularly goes a long way in preventing hypertension and other disorders. You can apply for a gym membership or exercise at home using proper techniques and guidance. You can even consider alternative forms of exercises like swimming, dancing, aerobics, running, etc.
❤ Lose Weight
If you have a higher body mass index (BMI) and excess body weight, you need to control it in order to prevent risks associated with it. Having a proper diet and exercising regularly are the best natural methods to lose weight. You need not follow any crash diet. In case you are following any fad diet, make sure you consult the doctor.
❤ Quit Smoking
Both, active as well as passive (secondhand) smoking, are equally harmful. Therefore, you should reduce smoking and intake of alcohol to prevent high blood pressure. If you suffer from hypertension, you should quit smoking and alcoholism completely in order to prevent further complications caused due to hypertension.
Systolic hypertension is more commonly observed than diastolic hypertension; but, it should not be ignored as it can lead to diastolic heart failure. Now, if you wish to understand your blood pressure readings and what exactly do they mean in detail, here is a chart and information on the same.
» Blood Pressure Readings Explained in Detail
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart muscles contract. Diastolic pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart muscles relax. When the systolic blood pressure rises to 140 mm Hg or above, a person is said to suffer from systolic high blood pressure. The following chart will help you understand high diastolic blood pressure readings:
Blood Pressure Systolic Pressure Diastolic Pressure
Normal 120 mm Hg 80 mm Hg
Pre - hypertension 120 - 140 mm Hg 80 - 100 mm Hg
Hypertension 140 mm Hg and higher 100 mm Hg and higher
High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases the risk of heart diseases (heart attack and heart failure) and stroke. It can also be one of the reasons for kidney diseases. Although hypertension is common in people above 35 years of age, there are chances of even younger people suffering from it. Older people usually suffer from systolic blood pressure, whereas younger adults suffer from diastolic blood pressure.
Following proper lifestyle habits and drug therapy can considerably help in treating hypertension. High diastolic blood pressure readings are detrimental to one's health, but, can be avoided easily by following the preventive measures. Take care!
Depending on the readings, or rather numbers, of blood pressure, it can be diagnosed whether a person has a normal, high, or low blood pressure. Abnormally high or low blood pressure is dangerous and can give rise to several life-threatening disorders. High diastolic blood pressure is when the blood pressure rises to 90 mm Hg or higher.
» What Causes High Diastolic Blood Pressure
❤ Obesity
When the weight of the person is higher than normal, the excess fats (in the form of cholesterol) in the body get deposited along the walls of the arteries, narrowing them. Due to this, the heart has to pump harder, leading to increase in the blood pressure.
❤ Improper Diet
Having an improper diet comprising excess fatty, salty and high cholesterol-containing foods, is another prominent cause of high blood pressure. Salty foodstuff increase the sodium levels of the blood leading to hypertension. A diet high in saturated and trans-fat can damage the blood vessels.
❤ Smoking and Alcoholism
Increase in the blood pressure is one of the harmful effects of smoking. The nicotine present in tobacco affects the heart in many ways. It decreases the level of oxygen to the heart, increases the heart rate, and constricts the blood vessels. Excess consumption of alcohol also affects the blood pressure. Alcoholic drinks have high calories that lead to weight gain, and indirectly high blood pressure. Similarly, drugs and excess caffeine increase the risk of hypertension.
❤ Sedentary Lifestyle
Lack of exercise affects the blood pressure in different ways. Leading a sedentary lifestyle for a long time leads to weight gain and increase in cholesterol levels. You may not be aware, but, sedentary lifestyle is one of the risk factors for a large number of illnesses, the prominent one being heart disease.
Increasing age and stress are some of the other causes of hypertension. However, these days, hypertension is also found in younger adults, because of the improper, changing, and stress-filled lifestyle.
There may be a possibility that you do not have any other risk factors, but, still have a higher diastolic pressure. You may even have a normal systolic pressure, but, higher diastolic pressure. This condition is known as isolated diastolic hypertension. Although this is not a completely dangerous situation, you need to follow measures to lower the blood pressure. This is because there may be a possibility that, over time, the systolic pressure may also increase.
» How to Lower High Diastolic Blood Pressure
In many cases, apart from frequent headache and fatigue, no prominent symptoms are observed. Therefore, it is recommended to have your blood pressure checked regularly. There are several natural methods that help in controlling high blood pressure.
❤ Have a Healthy Diet
As you have observed that having an improper diet directly and indirectly leads to hypertension, it is wise to make changes in your diet and have healthy eating habits. You should limit the intake of foods containing high amounts of sodium, fats, and cholesterol. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy forms of meat in your diet. Healthy eating will help in reducing weight, and consequently, reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
❤ Exercise Regularly
Exercising for 20-30 minutes regularly goes a long way in preventing hypertension and other disorders. You can apply for a gym membership or exercise at home using proper techniques and guidance. You can even consider alternative forms of exercises like swimming, dancing, aerobics, running, etc.
❤ Lose Weight
If you have a higher body mass index (BMI) and excess body weight, you need to control it in order to prevent risks associated with it. Having a proper diet and exercising regularly are the best natural methods to lose weight. You need not follow any crash diet. In case you are following any fad diet, make sure you consult the doctor.
❤ Quit Smoking
Both, active as well as passive (secondhand) smoking, are equally harmful. Therefore, you should reduce smoking and intake of alcohol to prevent high blood pressure. If you suffer from hypertension, you should quit smoking and alcoholism completely in order to prevent further complications caused due to hypertension.
Systolic hypertension is more commonly observed than diastolic hypertension; but, it should not be ignored as it can lead to diastolic heart failure. Now, if you wish to understand your blood pressure readings and what exactly do they mean in detail, here is a chart and information on the same.
» Blood Pressure Readings Explained in Detail
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart muscles contract. Diastolic pressure is the pressure exerted when the heart muscles relax. When the systolic blood pressure rises to 140 mm Hg or above, a person is said to suffer from systolic high blood pressure. The following chart will help you understand high diastolic blood pressure readings:
Blood Pressure Systolic Pressure Diastolic Pressure
Normal 120 mm Hg 80 mm Hg
Pre - hypertension 120 - 140 mm Hg 80 - 100 mm Hg
Hypertension 140 mm Hg and higher 100 mm Hg and higher
High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases the risk of heart diseases (heart attack and heart failure) and stroke. It can also be one of the reasons for kidney diseases. Although hypertension is common in people above 35 years of age, there are chances of even younger people suffering from it. Older people usually suffer from systolic blood pressure, whereas younger adults suffer from diastolic blood pressure.
Following proper lifestyle habits and drug therapy can considerably help in treating hypertension. High diastolic blood pressure readings are detrimental to one's health, but, can be avoided easily by following the preventive measures. Take care!
Bloodshot Eyes and High Blood Pressure
What is the exact relation between red eyes and high blood pressure? How does high blood pressure lead to bloodshot eyes? Here is an attempt to resolve the above queries and learn about other causes of bloodshot eyes and remedies for the same.
What is the exact relation between red eyes and high blood pressure? How does high blood pressure lead to bloodshot eyes? Here is an attempt to resolve the above queries and learn about other causes of bloodshot eyes and remedies for the same.
Myth
Modern contact lenses do not cause bloodshot eyes.
Fact
Although the latest contact lenses are better than earlier designs, they don't prevent your eyes from getting bloodshot.
Bloodshot eyes, also known as red eyes, is a condition in which the blood vessels in the sclera (white of the eye) dilate or swell, and appear red. It may occur due to many reasons, including illnesses, injury, etc. Sometimes, it can also occur due to a systemic condition or disease. The connection between bloodshot eyes and high blood pressure is indisputable. If left untreated, this could eventually lead to severe consequences that could culminate in permanent loss of vision.
Bloodshot Eyes Due to Hypertension
Constant red blotches on the sclera may indicate hypertension. It causes blood vessels to expand, or sometimes even burst, leaving red patches on the sclera. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is also considered to be the leading cause of bloodshot eyes.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a condition in which there is bleeding below the conjunctival layer. The conjunctiva contains many small and fragile blood vessels that can easily get ruptured. When this happens, the blood tends to leak into the space between the conjunctiva and the sclera. A subconjunctival hemorrhage may occur due to any kind of physical trauma to the eye as well. However, when it occurs due to high blood pressure, it indicates that the force with which the blood is flowing in the fragile capillaries is beyond the capacity of the lining cells. This results in ruptured capillaries, which further leads to leakage of blood and bloodshot eyes. This condition is normally self-limiting, although the person must try to bring down his blood pressure as soon as possible, to rule out the chances of any permanent damage to the eye.
It is essential to get in touch with an eye specialist if you have red eyes because if the redness is due to high blood pressure and if it is left untreated, a severe condition called hypertensive retinopathy may occur. As the name suggests, this is a condition in which blood vessels in the retina are severely damaged when the blood pressure is really high. If the blood pressure is high and it remains high for a long time, it may cause severe damage to the eye. Many people don't experience any symptoms until the last stages, in which they may experience double vision, headache, sudden loss of vision, etc.
Home Remedies for Bloodshot Eyes
The most important thing to do to get rid of the redness in the eyes is bringing down the blood pressure at the earliest. It can be done by taking hypertension medications. By lowering the blood pressure, the redness should disappear. However, if the redness still persists, then one may use the following home remedies to deal with bloodshot eyes:
Taking vitamin A and vitamin B complex capsules may help to restore vision, as it is an essential vitamin for proper vision.
Eat spinach and take lutein, as it contains carotenoid, which is needed for normal functioning of the retina and eye tissue.
Use raspberry leaves to make tea, and when cool, soak a piece of cotton and apply it to the eye.
Take Ginkgo biloba, as it increases the oxygen that is available to the eye.
Other Causes of Bloodshot Eyes
There are many other causes for bloodshot eyes. This condition can occur due to hyperemia of the superficial blood vessels of the conjunctiva, sclera, or the episclera. It can also be caused due to other diseases and disorders as well, including:
Conjunctivitis
Blepharitis
Uveitis
Corneal Ulcer
Glaucoma
Injury
Dry Eye Syndrome
Stress
Dust
Dry Air
Allergies
Excessive Exposure to the Sun
Rubbing and touching the eyes constantly will only aggravate the condition. Rubbing may increase redness, while touching may cause the dirt and dust particles to scratch your eyeball. Hence, avoid these things, and above all, if the environment is the cause, change your location for a few days.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical professional.
Modern contact lenses do not cause bloodshot eyes.
Fact
Although the latest contact lenses are better than earlier designs, they don't prevent your eyes from getting bloodshot.
Bloodshot eyes, also known as red eyes, is a condition in which the blood vessels in the sclera (white of the eye) dilate or swell, and appear red. It may occur due to many reasons, including illnesses, injury, etc. Sometimes, it can also occur due to a systemic condition or disease. The connection between bloodshot eyes and high blood pressure is indisputable. If left untreated, this could eventually lead to severe consequences that could culminate in permanent loss of vision.
Bloodshot Eyes Due to Hypertension
Constant red blotches on the sclera may indicate hypertension. It causes blood vessels to expand, or sometimes even burst, leaving red patches on the sclera. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is also considered to be the leading cause of bloodshot eyes.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a condition in which there is bleeding below the conjunctival layer. The conjunctiva contains many small and fragile blood vessels that can easily get ruptured. When this happens, the blood tends to leak into the space between the conjunctiva and the sclera. A subconjunctival hemorrhage may occur due to any kind of physical trauma to the eye as well. However, when it occurs due to high blood pressure, it indicates that the force with which the blood is flowing in the fragile capillaries is beyond the capacity of the lining cells. This results in ruptured capillaries, which further leads to leakage of blood and bloodshot eyes. This condition is normally self-limiting, although the person must try to bring down his blood pressure as soon as possible, to rule out the chances of any permanent damage to the eye.
It is essential to get in touch with an eye specialist if you have red eyes because if the redness is due to high blood pressure and if it is left untreated, a severe condition called hypertensive retinopathy may occur. As the name suggests, this is a condition in which blood vessels in the retina are severely damaged when the blood pressure is really high. If the blood pressure is high and it remains high for a long time, it may cause severe damage to the eye. Many people don't experience any symptoms until the last stages, in which they may experience double vision, headache, sudden loss of vision, etc.
Home Remedies for Bloodshot Eyes
The most important thing to do to get rid of the redness in the eyes is bringing down the blood pressure at the earliest. It can be done by taking hypertension medications. By lowering the blood pressure, the redness should disappear. However, if the redness still persists, then one may use the following home remedies to deal with bloodshot eyes:
Taking vitamin A and vitamin B complex capsules may help to restore vision, as it is an essential vitamin for proper vision.
Eat spinach and take lutein, as it contains carotenoid, which is needed for normal functioning of the retina and eye tissue.
Use raspberry leaves to make tea, and when cool, soak a piece of cotton and apply it to the eye.
Take Ginkgo biloba, as it increases the oxygen that is available to the eye.
Other Causes of Bloodshot Eyes
There are many other causes for bloodshot eyes. This condition can occur due to hyperemia of the superficial blood vessels of the conjunctiva, sclera, or the episclera. It can also be caused due to other diseases and disorders as well, including:
Conjunctivitis
Blepharitis
Uveitis
Corneal Ulcer
Glaucoma
Injury
Dry Eye Syndrome
Stress
Dust
Dry Air
Allergies
Excessive Exposure to the Sun
Rubbing and touching the eyes constantly will only aggravate the condition. Rubbing may increase redness, while touching may cause the dirt and dust particles to scratch your eyeball. Hence, avoid these things, and above all, if the environment is the cause, change your location for a few days.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical professional.
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