High blood pressure is amongst the ailments which are always with you but it is difficult to identify them because they are hidden right before your eyes. Hence the reason why the term "silent killer" is often applied to it as in most of the cases there are no symptoms. Your heart could be struggling for years but you could still be feeling very good. Yet the harm is accumulating stealthily inside.
Such a thing takes place when blood pressure is too high in your veins. The heart is forced to pump blood harder through the arteries. The little symptoms start creeping at the beginning and this is the reason why the majority of the people do not suspect it. They assume, “I am not feeling sick; therefore, I must be alright.” However, the case with blood pressure is opposite. It destroys the body slowly but surely.
The heart is a pump that never stops. It is going constantly, pushing the blood that it received from the lungs, through every vein and artery in the body, and even to the lungs again for renewal. However, when the pressure is very high, the pump is not working properly. Gradually, the heart muscle grows in thickness. A thick heart looks like a strong one, but it actually is not. It becomes both stiff and exhausted. In the end, it is not able to pump efficiently which results in heart failure.
The arteries are not spared from this. Just think of water flowing through a pipe at high pressure. The pipe becomes weaker over time. The same is happening in the body. The inner membrane of the arteries become injured. Part of the fat attaches to the walls and they are narrowing. This is the reason for blood flow blockage. Thus, high blood pressure is the main cause of the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Some individuals presume that this condition is only associated with the aged, while actually, it is not. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a Youngster's disease as well. Although heredity is a significant factor, lifestyle is the main influencer. Excessive salt intake, smoking, drinking, stress, insufficient sleep, and sitting for long periods of time all contribute to the problem.
The problem is that it is very convenient to overlook the warning signs. You can continue with your life without the slightest idea that something is not right. A lot of people are diagnosed only after a major incident. This is the reason why doctors insist: get your blood pressure checked even if you feel fine. It is very quick and can be the reason for your survival.
Lowering blood pressure can be achieved through simple steps. Reduce your salt intake. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Be physically active daily. Have a good sleep. Get control over your anxiety. Avoid smoking. The heart of these choices is made protected in a strong way. They seem minor, but they have a huge impact.
If living habits changes do not give the desired result, medication is an option. Today, there are safe drugs that keep blood pressure under control. Taking them isn’t a weakness. It’s a way of giving your heart some relief. But medicine alone is not the answer. Healthy habits still matter. The best results come from doing both.
The heart is not just a muscle. It keeps us alive, yet it is also a symbol. All over the world, people have regarded the heart as the source of life and the place of feelings. Keeping it safe should be among our top priorities. Hypertension is a very dangerous enemy to the heart because it attacks it in a silent manner. There is no violent assault. It is a slow process. But the outcome can be fatal if we purposely overlook it.
The good thing is that we are still able to take measures. In contrast to some abrupt diseases, high blood pressure offers us a possibility to react. With knowledge, with the right lifestyle, and with medication, we can keep it under our control. It might be a bigger problem in the future, so it’s better to check your blood pressure and make your lifestyle changes without delay.
High blood pressure just isn't a figure. It's a sign. It is the body's method of communicating that the heart is in distress. If we respond early, we can save ourselves. If we turn a blind eye, we put ourselves in danger.
It's just one fact however in life. High blood pressure is lethal yet it is not undefeatable. The wrong thing done is to make a denial of the problem. The wise thing to do would be to make the move now when the heart is still murmuring and not yelling.
Reference sources
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/index.html