If you have hypertension, can it lead to other diseases? Learn about the connection between high blood pressure and vascular disease.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a persistent elevation of your blood pressure and is a significant risk factor for heart disease. You measure your blood pressure by using two numbers: your systolic pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
The first two stages of high blood pressure have the following measurements:
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139 SBP or 80-89 DBP
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140+ SBP or 90+ DBP
Hypertension and Vascular Disease
While hypertension is a common condition, the cause of 90% to 95% of cases is unknown. People with this type of hypertension have what is known as primary or essential hypertension. In contrast, secondary hypertension has an identifiable cause, with one of the most important causes being the narrowing of the arteries to the kidneys.
Hypertension is also known as the silent killer because it typically presents no symptoms until they reach the point of a hypertensive crisis, which is a medical emergency. Moreover, unless you’re regularly checking your blood pressure, you may not know if you have it until you have issues with your heart, kidney, or brain. In fact, hypertension may increase the chances of developing kidney failure, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, and stroke.
People with hypertension also have a higher risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD), which happens when your legs’ arteries become narrow or clogged. If you have PAD, treating your high blood pressure is essential to lowering your chances of having eye problems, kidney disease, and more.
Dealing with Hypertension
Over 50 million Americans that are 60 years of age and older have high blood pressure, but only about a fourth of them have their blood pressure under control. Fortunately, you can lower your risk of hypertension by maintaining a healthy weight, increasing physical activity, eating heart-healthy foods, managing your stress, and eliminating unhealthy habits like smoking.
If you have reached Stage 2 Hypertension, your doctor will likely recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and prescription medications. It’s important that you know your blood pressure, monitor it regularly, and take any prescription medications as directed.
The Outlook
High blood pressure is a condition that significantly increases your risk of developing vascular disease. Therefore, it’s essential that you manage your blood pressure effectively and maintain it at a healthy range.
If you want to boost your blood pressure health, you can start by exercising regularly, eating healthily, and taking supplements like L-arginine Plus. As a heart supplement, it promotes circulation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and more. Give your heart health the support it deserves by managing your blood pressure, preventing hypertension, and taking L-arginine Plus.