Primary High Blood Pressure
While the specific cause of primary high blood pressure remains unknown, there is compelling evidence to suggest that a number of risk factors increase your chances of developing the condition.
These risk factors include:
- age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
- a family history of high blood pressure – the condition seems to run in families
- being of Afro-Caribbean or South Asian origin
- high-fat diet
- high amount of salt in your diet
- lack of exercise
- excessive alcohol consumption
- stress
A number of health conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, have also been linked to an increase risk of developing primary high blood pressure.
Addressing Low Blood Pressure
Although most people with low blood pressure live healthy, productive lives, it could become an issue in some people. If it becomes a problem, contacting your healthcare professional is the best way to go. You may need medications to help with the problem. You could also make certain changes that include, amongst others, the following:
- Stay hydrated drink plenty of water, sports drinks, or electrolyte drinks.
- Follow a healthy diet and possibly increase your sodium intake do remember increasing your sodium may not be a great idea if you have underlying health issues that require you to cut down on salt.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine because they can worsen dehydration.
- Move your legs regularly while sitting or standing to improve blood flow.
- Consider using compression socks extending up to your thighs or waist they stimulate blood flow to your lower extremities.
Resting Baseline Measures Of Si Ci Bp And Hr In Relation To Fatigue
Fatigue did not predict MAP or HR . As summarized in , , , and , fatigue was a significant predictor of SI and CI. Fatigue uniquely accounted for approximately 6% of the variance in SI and 8% of the variance in CI. The fatigue effects were independent of demographic variables such as age, ethnicity, sex, or screening BP. For explaining SI as well as CI, fatigue nearly doubled the variance explained by the demographic variables . Adding depressive symptoms in a third step did not significantly increase the predictive capacity of the model, nor did it detract from the power of fatigue to explain CI and SI. graphically portrays the fatigue effects on hemodynamic functioning at rest.
Resting levels of mean arterial pressure , heart rate , stroke index , and cardiac index by levels of fatigue as determined by the Profile of Mood States fatigue scale. The groups were created by dividing the scale into tertiles. Error bars indicate SEM.
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Treatment Of Low Blood Pressure
Unless accompanied by other conditions, low blood pressure is usually easy to treat and does not require much medication. Often, a low blood pressure diet may be prescribed, or a change in lifestyle may become necessary. Common recommendations include:
Increased intake of water: Dehydration can cause an electrolyte imbalance resulting in signs of low blood pressure, and care towards adequate hydration would be important, especially in high temperature situations, during fevers or dysentery.
Increased sodium in diet: Salted nuts, cheeses and cured fish and meats are high in sodium content, and would help stabilize blood pressure in case it is very low. Care must be taken to not overdo it, however, and for a balance to be maintained.
Limiting alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption can cause fluctuation in heart rate and limiting its consumption for some time will help alleviate symptoms of low blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals.
Exercise: Light exercises not involving much strain to the body help improve circulation of blood throughout, and keep the heart healthy. In cases of low blood pressure, it is important to be aware of its symptoms such as palpitations and cold skin so that exercising does not aggravate the condition.
Ceasing any aggravating medication:If intake of certain medication is seen to cause dips in blood pressure, your doctor may recommend a substitute for the drug, or even stopping its consumption till pressure is stabilized.
Fast Fix For Mild Fatigue
Some of us are simply tired with no medical cause. The good news is that exercise may give us a boost. Studies consistently show that people who engage in regular exercise feel less fatigue than those who don’t. When exercising for energy stay in the low-to-moderate exertion range, such as walking, yoga, or light resistance training to fight fatigue.
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Q What Can Cause Low Blood Pressure
- Pregnancy
- Nutrition deficiency in the diet
- Certain antidepressants
What Are The Complications Of Uncontrolled Hypertension
- Chest pain, also called angina.
- Heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells die from lack of oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
- Heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital body organs.
- Irregular heart beat which can lead to a sudden death.
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Diagnosing High Blood Pressure
The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Ask your GP when you are next due for yours to be checked.
Before having your blood pressure taken, you should rest for at least five minutes and empty your bladder. To get an accurate blood pressure reading, you should be sitting down and not talking when the reading is taken.
Having one high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure can change throughout the day. Feeling anxious or stressed when you visit your GP can raise your blood pressure .
Therefore, your GP will need to take several readings over a set period of time, usually every month, to see whether your blood pressure level is consistently high.
Blood and urine tests may also be carried out in order to check for conditions that are known to cause an increase in blood pressure, such as kidney infections.
You may also be given a blood pressure device to take home so that you can record your blood pressure level throughout the day. This also helps to identify white coat syndrome and therefore helps to identify the best treatment options for you.
Medical Signs Of Hypertension
The easiest way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to take your blood pressure reading.
Measuring your blood pressure is very simple and painless. It is carried out with a device called a sphygmomanometer . Within seconds, your doctor can measure your blood pressure.
The results work like this:
- Anything between 120/80 and 140/90 is called the pre-hypertension stage. This often leads to hypertension
- Between 140/90 and 160/100, you are in stage 1 hypertension
- Between 160/100 and 180/110, you are in stage 2 hypertension
- Above 180/110, you are in stage 3 hypertension
People in stage 3 hypertension tend to suffer from secondary hypertension, which is a form of high blood pressure. This can be caused by:
- kidney disease
Other signs of secondary hypertension include:
- No effect from high blood pressure medication
- Suddenly high blood pressure
- No one in your family who has had hypertension before
With either primary hypertension or secondary hypertension, its very important that you talk to a doctor for high blood pressure. This is the only way to understand what type of hypertension youre suffering from and which treatment is best for you.
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When Should You Call A Doctor For High Blood Pressure
Many symptoms present gradually after years of poorly blood pressure control. Often, the first knowledge of hypertension occurs when a person complains of chest pain or has stroke-like symptoms. Should these occur, it is appropriate to call 911 immediately to activate emergency medical services and seek care.
You may be directed to seek medical care if blood pressure readings are elevated if done as part of a community health screening. Isolated elevated blood pressure readings do not necessarily make the diagnosis of hypertension. Blood pressure readings vary throughout the day, and your primary care provider may record a different reading than the one that was measured in a screening that sent you in for care.
There are non-specific symptoms associated with hypertension that may cause a person to seek care that includes
- lightheadedness,
There are many other reasons to develop these symptoms other than high blood pressure.
Falls And Related Injuries
A sudden drop in blood pressure may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or even lose consciousness . These symptoms can come on quickly, causing falls or other injuries.
Falls are a major cause of hospitalization for older adults. Older adults are more likely to experience hypotension after standing up or eating. Treatment and lifestyle changes can help you manage hypotension symptoms.
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What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Scientists have been researching chronic fatigue syndrome for many years, but they still don’t know for sure what causes it.
Many doctors believe that the way some conditions interact within the body and mind might leave some people at risk for CFS. For example, if someone has a and is under a lot of stress, the combination of these two things might make them more likely to develop CFS.
These things are believed to interact with each other in this way, putting some people at risk for CFS:
- infections. Experts have wondered if infections like measles or Epstein-Barr virus might increase the risk for CFS. The role Epstein-Barr plays in CFS is not clear because studies have not confirmed it as a cause.
- problems with the immune system or the nervous system
- hormone imbalances
- low blood pressure
What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure
Lets start with a bit of information on blood pressure and hypertension.
When your heart pumps blood through your body, this increases the pressure in your arteries. Normally, they respond by widening. High blood pressure happens when your arteries have hardened . Hardened arteries do not relax sufficiently. As a result, your blood pressure increases.
In other words, your arteries remain relatively narrow even when you have a lot of blood flowing through them. Over the years, the increased pressure on your arteries damages them as well as your heart. Eventually, high blood pressure can lead to stroke and heart attack.
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When To See A Doctor
People with symptoms of hypokalemia should see a doctor.
Hypokalemia is more common in people with inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal illnesses that cause severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting. Certain medications, such as laxatives and diuretics, can also increase the risk of potassium deficiency.
It is important to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms of severe hypokalemia, such as muscle paralysis, breathing problems, or irregular heart rhythms.
How Often Should You Check Your Blood Pressure
The most important element in the management of high blood pressure is follow-up care.
- Routine blood pressure check-ups are important to monitor readings and decide upon a treatment plan.
- With age and the natural progression of hardening of the arteries, systolic blood pressure may elevate over time. A treatment that once worked well may no longer work as well and your medication treatment may need to be changed.
- Routine physical exams and screening blood tests may be suggested to help monitor the success of blood pressure management.
- Follow-up visits are a good time to discuss with your doctor any medication side effects that you may be experiencing. Your doctor will have suggestions for managing side effects or may change your treatment.
- Follow-up visits are a great opportunity for monitoring for other associated risk factors, such as high cholesterol, smoking cessation, and obesity.
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Shift Work Sleep Disorder
Shift work can wreak havoc on your body’s 24-hour internal clock, or circadian rhythm. When you work nights or rotate shifts, your body doesn’t know when to be awake and when to sleep, which causes fatigue.
Daylight is often a cue to be awake. If you must sleep during the day, try to make your sleeping area as dark, cool, and quiet as possible. If you must work at night, keep your workplace brightly lit. Try to work night shifts all in a row and avoid frequently rotating shifts. Stay away from caffeine, and stick to a regular sleep-wake schedule as much as possible on days off.
How Does Blood Pressure Work
During relaxation of the heart , the left ventricle of the heart fills with blood returning from the lungs. The left ventricle then contracts and pumps blood into the arteries . The blood pressure in the arteries during contraction of the ventricle is higher because blood is being actively ejected into the arteries. It is lower during relaxation of the ventricle when no blood is being ejected into the arteries. The pulse we feel when we place our fingers over an artery is caused by the contraction of the left ventricle and the ejection of blood.
Blood pressure is determined by two factors:
Generally, blood pressure tends to be higher if more blood is pumped into the arteries or if the arterioles are narrow and/or stiff. Narrow and/or stiff arterioles, by resisting the flow of blood, increase blood pressure. Arterioles may become narrower when the muscles surrounding them contract. Arterioles may become stiff and narrow when older patients develop atherosclerosis.
Blood pressure tends to be lower if less blood is being pumped into the arteries or if the arterioles are larger and more flexible and, therefore, have less resistance to the flow of blood.
The heart rate increases and the forcefulness of the heart’s contractions increase, pumping more blood through the heart.
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Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure
Hypertension does not commonly cause symptoms. But some people can experience:
- problems with their vision
- chest pains
- fits
These signs and symptoms of hypertension usually occur when patients are experiencing a crisis or an emergency because their high blood pressure has reached dangerously high levels.
These signs are also common in people who suffer from a sudden increase in high blood pressure . If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Other Causes For Fatigue With High Blood Pressure
Although fatigue can be a symptom of high blood pressure, a lack of sleep may actually be a contributing factor, too.
Sleeping 5 hours or less per night may raise your risk for developing high blood pressure. And if you already have high blood pressure, lack of sleep could be making it worse.
In addition, obstructive sleep apnea is a known risk factor for hypertension, especially in older age groups.
Some prescription medications used to treat high blood pressure can also cause fatigue.
Another cause of fatigue could be due to pulmonary artery hypertension. This is when you have high blood pressure in the vessels that carry blood between your heart and lungs. Along with fatigue, it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness.
There are usually no symptoms or warning signs that you have hypertension. Thats why its so important to monitor your blood pressure.
Its especially important to see your doctor if youre experiencing:
- fatigue
- stress management
- drinking alcohol in moderation
Your doctor will also consider your age, coexisting conditions, and any other medications you take when treating your blood pressure. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe hypertension medications. These include:
Some of these medications can cause you to feel tired.
Other treatments depend on the extent of damage to your heart, kidneys, and overall health.
- following a healthy, balanced, low-salt diet
- getting regular exercise
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Fatigue Low Blood Pressure And Weight Loss
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 10/9/2020
Your symptoms may be related to any conditions that cause low blood pressure. It is also possible for reactions to certain prescription or non-prescription medications to cause these symptoms. Emotional or mental conditions such as depression may also lead to physical symptoms such as these. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing any worrisome symptoms.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
Secondary High Blood Pressure
Some cases of high blood pressure are the result of underlying factors or cause and this is known as secondary high blood pressure.
Underlying factors include:
- kidney conditions, such as a kidney infection, or kidney disease
- narrowing of the arteries
- hormonal conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome
- conditions that affect the bodys tissue, such as lupus
- medication, such as the oral contraceptive pill, or the type of painkillers that are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen
- recreational drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystal meth
Occasionally, a rise in blood pressure can result from taking herbal remedies, such as herbal supplements.
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