29/08/2026
Hypertension: Causes, Signs & Management
Hypertension means persistently high blood pressure. It often causes no symptoms, but over time it can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels.
🟣 Common Causes & Risk Factors
âžź Most cases are primary hypertension, meaning there is no single identifiable cause
âžź Family history and increasing age increase risk
âžź High salt intake, excess body weight, and physical inactivity can contribute
âžź Smoking, heavy alcohol use, and poor sleep may raise blood pressure
âžź Kidney disease, sleep apnea, thyroid or adrenal disorders can cause secondary hypertension
âžź Some medicines, including NSAIDs, steroids, and certain decongestants, may increase blood pressure
🟣 Common Signs and Symptoms
➟ Hypertension is often called a “silent” condition because most people have no symptoms
âžź Headache, dizziness, or blurred vision can occur when blood pressure is very high
âžź Palpitations or shortness of breath may occur but are not specific
âžź Symptoms alone cannot reliably diagnose hypertension
🟣 Why It Matters
âžź Increases the risk of heart attack and stroke
âžź Can cause heart failure
âžź May damage the kidneys
âžź Can affect the retina and vision
âžź Can contribute to artery disease and aneurysm formation
🟣 Diagnosis
âžź Blood pressure should be measured correctly on more than one occasion
âžź Home blood-pressure monitoring can help confirm persistent elevation
âžź Blood tests, urine tests, ECG, or other tests may be used to look for complications or secondary causes
🟣 Lifestyle Management
âžź Reduce excess salt intake
âžź Maintain a healthy body weight
âžź Exercise regularly
âžź Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and minimally processed foods
âžź Limit alcohol and avoid smoking
âžź Improve sleep and manage stress
🟣 Medicines
âžź Many people need blood-pressure medicines in addition to lifestyle changes
âžź Common options include ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium-channel blockers, and thiazide-type diuretics
âžź The best medicine depends on age, other diseases, kidney function, and blood-pressure level
âžź Take medicines regularly and do not stop them suddenly without medical advice
🟣 When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
âžź Blood pressure is extremely high with chest pain, severe breathlessness, confusion, weakness, or vision changes
âžź Sudden facial droop, arm weakness, or speech difficulty occurs
âžź Severe headache with neurological symptoms develops
âžź These may indicate a hypertensive emergency, stroke, or heart problem
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. High blood pressure should be confirmed with proper measurements and managed with guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
