What Does High Blood Pressure Mean?

Overview

The diagnosis of high blood pressure affects numerous Australians who remain unaware of their condition. The following explanation goes through how blood pressure affects your health through simple terms without using complex medical terminology.

What Is Blood Pressure

Your blood vessels function like garden hoses while your heart operates as the water source. Blood pressure indicates the force which blood applies to artery walls (the garden hoses) during heart pumping operations. Medical staff use a fraction format to record blood pressure through two separate numbers.

Systolic Blood Pressure (Top number)

The systolic pressure appears as the first number in blood pressure readings. The blood pressure inside arteries reaches its peak when the heart performs its beating motion to distribute blood throughout the body.

• The systolic pressure shows the maximum force which occurs during each heartbeat.
• The garden hose experiences maximum pressure when someone fully opens the water tap.

Causes

The Australian way of life creates conditions which lead to high blood pressure in many people. The following factors lead to high blood pressure among Australians:

• A Diet High in Salt: Your love for processed meats and your love of salty Vegemite toast? Your body retains water when you consume excessive salt which results in elevated blood pressure.
• Not Enough Physical Activity: People who spend most of their time sitting either at work or on the couch develop high blood pressure as a result.
• Being Overweight: Your heart needs to work harder to distribute blood throughout your body when you have excess weight.
• Excessive Alcohol: Regularly drinking excessive amounts of alcohol through tinnies and wine will cause your blood pressure to rise dramatically.
• Smoking: The chemicals found in cigarettes create damage to artery walls which results in their narrowing and hardening.

As high blood pressure can arise from multiple different medical conditions, your GP needs to perform a complete examination to identify the root cause of your high blood pressure.

Symptoms

High blood pressure exists without any noticeable symptoms which makes it dangerous for your body. Your arteries together with your heart and other organs face damage from high blood pressure even though you remain symptom-free.

• The condition received its dangerous nickname because it may not produce any warning signs.
• The condition can remain undetected until it triggers a heart attack or stroke.

Impact of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is far from passive; it actively instigates a cascade of detrimental effects across various bodily systems, culminating in severe complications:

• Aneurysm: Visualise a balloon stretched to its limits. Analogously, high blood pressure can induce weak sections of blood vessel walls to swell or rupture.
• Cardiovascular emergencies: The relentless strain imposed on the heart can precipitate a heart attack, or a blockage in cerebral arteries can trigger a stroke, akin to a dam breaching after enduring sustained pressure.
• Renal dysfunction: Kidneys serve as the body's filtration units. High blood pressure can impair these vital organs, leading to renal insufficiency or failure.
• Ocular disorders: The delicate blood vessels within the eyes are susceptible to damage from high blood pressure, potentially resulting in impaired vision or blindness.
• Cognitive decline: Picture your brain as a meticulously tended garden. High blood pressure can deprive certain regions of the brain of essential nutrients, leading to memory deficits and heightening the risk of dementia.
• Metabolic syndrome: This constellation of conditions amplifies the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, setting off a chain reaction initiated by high blood pressure.
• Sexual health concerns: Reduced blood flow due to high blood pressure can adversely affect sexual function in both men and women, manifesting as erectile dysfunction in men and decreased libido in women.

What Happens If You Ignore High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure remains undetected until it causes major health issues. The prolonged pressure on your body will result in:

• Heart Attack or Stroke: The damaged arteries become either completely blocked or they experience a complete rupture.
• Heart Failure: The heart muscle develops thickening and weakness because it must operate at elevated levels.
• Kidney Disease: The high blood pressure causes damage to the small filters which function as kidney filters.
• Vision Loss: The high blood pressure causes damage to the small blood vessels which exist in the eyes.

How to Manage

Many individuals achieve substantial health improvements through changes in their lifestyle. The following are some initial defense strategies against you can try to manage high blood pressure:

• Move More: Perform at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise which includes walking or swimming throughout most days.
• Tweak Your Diet: Your diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains while you should reduce your consumption of processed foods and salty snacks.
• Watch the Booze: The recommended drinking limit is 10 standard drinks per week for both men and women.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Your blood pressure will decrease when you lose weight no matter how small the weight loss amount.
• Kick the Habit: Your health will benefit the most when you stop smoking.

The information presented here serves as lifestyle recommendations. Your doctor should help you develop a personalised treatment strategy which suits your specific needs.

When to See a Doctor

A GP visit is necessary for check-ups when you experience any of the following situations:

• Your blood pressure needs testing because it has been more than two years since your last check.
• Your family background includes high blood pressure or heart disease.
• You have any of the risk factors which we previously discussed.

How Hola Health Can Help

The team at Hola Health understands that people face numerous challenges in their daily lives. Hola Health enables you to consult with an Australian GP through telehealth services from your home.

• The telehealth service enables you to consult with a doctor about your blood pressure concerns.
• Our online doctors will offer medical guidance and write prescriptions and order additional tests when necessary.
• The service provides you with an easy method to start your health improvement journey.

FAQ

What is a normal blood pressure range in Australia?

The Heart Foundation of Australia recommends that adults should maintain blood pressure levels at or below 120/80 mmHg for optimal health.

Can high blood pressure go away on its own?

High blood pressure requires medical treatment to resolve itself. Early detection and proper lifestyle changes help some people achieve normal blood pressure levels. The condition requires continuous management because it develops into a permanent health issue for most patients.

What foods should I avoid if I have high BP?

People with high blood pressure should limit their consumption of processed foods and deli meats and salty sauces including soy sauce and takeaway restaurant meals. The majority of these foods contain concealed salt content.

What is considered high blood pressure in Australia?

The medical community in Australia defines high blood pressure as any blood pressure reading that reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher. Your GP will perform multiple blood pressure measurements to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Can stress or anxiety cause high blood pressure?

High blood pressure does not develop from stress or anxiety but short-term increases in blood pressure can occur due to stress. The practice of poor eating habits and excessive drinking becomes possible through stress which results in high blood pressure development.

Does high blood pressure mean I’ll need medication for life?

People with high blood pressure do not always need to take medication throughout their lives. Many patients can control their blood pressure through lifestyle modifications without needing medication. The prescribing of antihypertensive medication for organ protection will continue for an extended period when doctors choose this treatment approach. Always consult your doctor before stopping any prescribed medication.

What does high blood pressure mean for men?

Young men, particularly those under the age of 45, exhibit a higher propensity for developing high blood pressure compared to their female counterparts. This disparity can be attributed to lifestyle choices prevalent among men, such as higher incidences of smoking and alcohol consumption. Furthermore, men grappling with high blood pressure may encounter erectile dysfunction, serving as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

What does high blood pressure mean for women?

Women face unique challenges related to blood pressure, especially during pivotal life stages such as pregnancy and menopause. Gestational hypertension poses significant risks to both maternal and fatal health, underscoring the critical importance of prenatal care. Meanwhile, the hormonal fluctuations accompanying menopause can contribute to an uptick in blood pressure, necessitating vigilant monitoring and proactive management strategies.