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Hypertension: causes, symptoms and treatment

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, it is a common condition in which the force of your blood against your artery walls is too high. It is known as the silent killer because many people are not aware if they have this condition. Blood pressure is calculated by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. A blood pressure reading is given in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). There are two numbers which indicates systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the maximum pressure the heart exerts while beating whereas diastolic pressure is the amount of pressure in the arteries between beats. According to the New Zealand Heart Foundation, ideal blood pressure should be 120/75mmHg or less, while high blood pressure can be a 140/90 mmHg or above. Hypertension can be classified into mild, moderate and severe. Mild hypertension is defined as clinic blood pressure measurement of ≥140/90 mmHg. Moderate hypertension is defined as a clinic blood pressure measurement of ≥160/100 mmHg. Severe hypertension is defined as a systolic pressure of ≥180 mmHg, or a diastolic pressure of ≥110 mmHg.
Hypertension has many risk factors, including age, the risk of high blood pressure increases with age. As a person ages, the vascular system changes. The elasticity of heart and blood vessels reduce causing them to become stiffer and less complaint. As a result, blood pressure increases. Family history or genetical link may also play a part. Being overweight or obese can also increase the risk of hypertension due to more blood required to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. People who are inactive also at higher risk of hypertension due to higher heartbeat. The higher the heartbeat, the harder your heart muscle work with each contraction which leads to higher blood pressure. Another factor may include is diet. Diet consist of too much sodium or too little potassium can also increase the blood pressure due to body’s inability to retain fluid. High level of emotional stress can also lead to temporary increase in blood pressure. There are no specific symptoms associated with mild hypertension however, symptoms of moderate to severe Hypertension may include severe headaches, nosebleed, fatigue or confusion, vision problems, chest pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, blood in the urine and pounding in your chest, neck or ears. If the symptoms are severe, it required immediate medical attention. Treatment for hypertensive crisis may include hospitalization for treatment with oral or intravenous medications.
High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels which can further lead to many complications. These complications include heart attack; Hight blood pressure damages arteries that can block or prevent flow of blood to the heart muscles. Angina condition which leads to chest pain caused by the reduced blood flow to the heart. Stroke which is a brain attack due to the clot formation and sudden interruption of the blood supply to your plan which can cause permanent damage. Heart failure due to the high blood flow, the heart muscles doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. it increases workload and cause heart to enlarge and fail to supply blood to your body. Kidney disease and/or failure due to interference with the ability to filter blood effectively which can damage the arteries around your kidney. Peripheral artery disease due to the narrowing of arteries in your legs, arms, stomach and head, causing pain or fatigue. Metabolic syndrome is a group of disorders of your body's metabolism, including increased waist size, high triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, high blood pressure and high insulin levels. These conditions make you more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
If anyone experience the above listed symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor due to higher risk of heart attack or another serious health condition. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor might recommend that you monitor it more often at home. Your doctor will also recommend making lifestyle changes along with medications to lower your blood pressure. Your doctor will likely recommend more-frequent readings if you've already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle changes plays an important role in managing your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you might avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.
Along with lifestyle changes, medication can also be recommended to treat or lower the risk of hypertension. Usually, doctor recommends a lower dose to start with. These medications may include diuretics, beta-blockers, alpha blockers, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and central agonists. The choice of medication will depend on your age, ethnicity, health conditions and medical history. These medications can cause mild to moderate side effects. Alpha blockers medication side effects may include dizziness and fast heart rate. Calcium channel blockers medication side effects include constipation, dizziness, headache, irregular/ rapid heartbeat and swollen ankles. Central agonists medication side effects may include anaemia, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever and erection problems. Vasodilator medication side effects may include excessive hair growth, fluid retention, headaches, joint ache and pain.
Hypertension is a very important disorder in today’s world due to the associated cardiovascular complications. There is a need of more public awareness in terms of the risk and management of this disorder. Educating the community and helping them towards a healthy lifestyle can also help in the prevention of this disorder and a better healthy future.

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Chetna Powar
Practice Manager
My name is Chetna. I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself as the Practice Manager at this practice.
A little background about myself. I was born in India but raised in New Zealand, by both my parents. I grew up in a small town in South Auckland where I did all of my schooling. Later on I moved to studying Business Event Management where I learnt valuable skills of management and organization. While settling into this health industry is new for me, I am looking forward to meeting new people and sharing the passion I have for a healthier start for those who are in need. Looking forward to meeting you all.

Jenny Zhuang
Acupuncturist MChinMed (Acu)
I am Jenny, a registered acupuncturist with the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand. I studied traditional Taoist medical concepts with Taoist TCM Master in China and applied them in my clinical practice.While pursuing my master’s degree, I had a special interest in the clinical effect of low-dose Chinese herbal pulse-regulating prescriptions in the treatment of depression.
I specialize in relieving various musculoskeletal and visceral conditions, such as headache, stomach ache, shoulder, back, limb and joint pain etc. In my clinical practice, I use a combination of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to adjust the patient’s body balance, thereby reducing the patient’s various discomforts. I am looking forward to being a part of this local community and making a difference with my knowledge and skills.

Dr Priya Singh
Principal Chiropractor/ Director (BChiro, DipSci)
I migrated to New Zealand during my teen years and was introduced to Chiropractic through a career fair. Instantly drawn to the field, I dedicated five years to studying chiropractic, knowing it was the perfect fit for me. For the past two and a half years, I’ve been serving as a chiropractor in communities throughout Auckland. I enjoy connecting with people and positively impacting their health.
I specialize in providing spinal adjustments, correcting posture, and managing pain, which often leads to remarkable transformations in my patient’s health. Moreover, I actively engage in educating the community about spinal health, advocating for ergonomic practices, and offering guidance on lifestyle choices to promote overall well-being.