Thursday, March 28, 2024

Is Fatigue A Symptom Of High Blood Pressure

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Exercise Doesnt Help Me Lose Weight Or Even Look More Toned

Adrenal Fatigue, High Blood Pressure, and Chronic Infection

Cortisol is a catabolic hormone. This means that when its released during stress it breaks down protein to use for energy. End result? Rapid and ongoing muscle wastage even though you are working out every day.

Cortisol is also released when you exercise and the higher the intensity or duration of your workout, the bigger the cortisol release.

Heres what that means:

Cortisol from your life + Cortisol from exercise = Excessively high cortisol.

Thats why you may not be looking leaner or more toned after exercised your high cortisol is actually breaking down your muscle to help give your body fuel because it thinks youre in a life or death situation 24/7.

A Weakened Immune System

Cortisol has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps to regulate your immune system. Inflammation is often simply a sign that your body is fighting an infection, but cortisol prevents this reaction from getting out of control. Maintaining a balanced cortisol level not too low and not too high is an important part of our health.

If stress is causing your cortisol levels to be elevated, this anti-inflammatory effect becomes too strong. This effectively stops your immune system from working as it should, and this weakened state can last for the duration of whatever is causing the stress. Without a properly functioning immune system, you become vulnerable to disease. Conversely, a lower level of cortisol allows your immune system to over-react to pathogens. This can lead to chronic inflammation and a number of respiratory or auto-immune diseases.

So what does this mean for Adrenal Fatigue sufferers? It depends on which stage of the condition you have reached. In the early stages, consistently high levels of cortisol suppress your immune response and leave you vulnerable to infection. In the later stages of Adrenal Fatigue, low levels of cortisol can lead to chronic inflammation, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. Neither is a good outcome, and so your Adrenal Fatigue treatment should focus on restoring cortisol to a sustainable, balanced level.

How High Blood Pressure Could Make Covid

While the study didnt examine this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that high blood pressure could make you more likely to get severely ill should you contract COVID-19.

The American Heart Association says that elderly people with coronary heart disease or high blood pressure may be more susceptible to the coronavirus and more likely to develop more severe symptoms. This is also why its so important to make sure that your blood pressure is under control and that youre checking in with your doctor as recommended.

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What Is A Malignant Hypertension

You are considered to have hypertension if your systolic blood pressure measurements are between 130 and 139 or your diastolic measurement falls between 80 and 89. At this level of blood pressure you may not have any symptoms. When blood pressure reaches 180/120 or higher, a serious condition known as a malignant hypertension or hypertension crisis may occur. This can lead to stroke, kidney damage, heart attacks, or loss of consciousness. If you measure your blood pressure and it is this high, rest a few minutes and measure again. If it remains high, call 911.

Malignant Hypertension Causes

High blood pressure is the main cause of malignant hypertension. Skipping doses of blood pressure medications can also lead to malignant hypertension. The following are medical conditions that may cause malignant hypertension:

  • Kidney disease
  • Illegal drugs

Malignant Hypertension Symptoms

The primary symptoms of malignant hypertension are a blood pressure of 180/120 or higher and signs of organ damage. Other symptoms of malignant hypertension include bleeding and swelling of blood vessels in the retina, anxiety, nosebleeds, severe headache, and shortness of breath. Malignant hypertension may cause brain swelling, but this symptom is very rare.

Malignant Hypertension Treatment

What’s The Impact Of Having High Blood Pressure

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High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as:

  • coronary heart disease – where the main arteries that supply your heart become clogged up with plaques
  • strokes – a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted
  • heart attacks – a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked

Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.

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How Is Blood Pressure Measured

Blood pressure is defined as the amount of pressure that is exerted on the artery walls as blood moves through them. It is measured in millimetres of mercury, or mmHg.

A more detailed explanation is provided below.

Two measurements are used to measure blood pressure:

  • Systolic pressure – the measure of blood pressure exerted when your heart beats and forces blood around your body.
  • Diastolic pressure – the measure of blood pressure when your heart is resting in between beats.

Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are measured in millimetres of mercury .

The figures are usually represented with the systolic pressure first, followed by the diastolic pressure. Therefore, if your GP says that your blood pressure is ‘120 over 80’, or 120/80mmHg, they mean that you have a systolic pressure of 120mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80mmHg.

Blood Pressure Checks During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you should have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, even if it is not high.

Watching your blood pressure while you are pregnant reduces your risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension. This can lead to a serious condition called pre-eclampsia where there is a problem with the placenta .

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Drink Alcohol In Moderation

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and raise the cholesterol levels in your blood.

Sticking to the recommended amounts of alcohol consumption is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.

The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:

  • 3 to 4 units of alcohol for men
  • 2 to 3 units of alcohol for women.

A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure or spirits.

More about drinking alcohol reponsibly

Who Is At Risk For Preeclampsia

High Blood Pressure, Fatigue – Georgia’s Story

You are at higher risk of preeclampsia if you:

  • Had chronic high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease before pregnancy
  • Had high blood pressure or preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
  • Have obesity
  • Damage to your kidneys, liver, brain, and other organ and blood systems
  • A higher risk of heart disease for you
  • Eclampsia, which happens when preeclampsia is severe enough to affect brain function, causing seizures or coma
  • HELLP syndrome, which happens when a woman with preeclampsia or eclampsia has damage to the liver and blood cells. It is rare, but very serious.

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Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure: Chest Pain

The heart is a muscular organ, and if it is feeling tired pumping blood, it is likely that you will experience chest pains. While most people tend to ignore mild chest pains and dismiss them as regular muscular aches, if they persist over a few days then its better to take notice. The pain usually radiates from the chest in an outward motion, and while it can be related to a muscle relaxant, it is better to get to the root cause of the problem.

TIP:Chest pains are often caused due to gastric issues, so ensure you rule that out.

Blood Pressure Medication And Fatigue

Certain blood pressure medications, including beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, list fatigue as a side effect, says Dr. Mintz. These side effects may diminish over time.

You should never stop taking your potentially life-saving medication without consulting with your doctor. If fatigue is bothering you, ask your doctor to adjust the dose or even change the time that you take it so that you feel more energized.

Stress can cause high blood pressure too and make it harder for you to do the things you should do to stay healthy including taking your medication as directed.

High blood pressure tends to go hand in hand with obesity and lack of physical activity, both of which can leave you feeling tired, Dr. Mintz says. But as little as 10 minutes of walking or cycling can boost the quality of your sleep, lower blood pressure, help you shed extra weight, and leave you feeling more energetic, the National Sleep Foundation notes.

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What Does Adrenal Fatigue Mean

Adrenal fatigue is a condition that usually results from a long period of chronic stress. Over time, this stress taxes the adrenal glands and HPA axis, thereby disrupting the production of cortisol and other hormones. The body initially produces large amounts of cortisol to cope with the stressors, but eventually cortisol levels drop. The cortisol cycle can also become dysregulated, with irregular peaks in the evening.

Adrenal fatigue has been a relatively controversial condition for several reasons. One important reason is the early focus on the adrenal glands becoming tired. We now know that adrenal fatigue and burnout tend to present themselves in the dysregulation of the HPA axis and disturbances in the cortisol cycle.

Medical Signs Of Hypertension

How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

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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Why Do I Easily Get Tired

Many conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, anemia, thyroid disease, and sleep apnea, cause fatigue. If you are feeling especially weary, consult your doctor. Many drugs can cause tiredness. Some of these include blood pressure medications, antihistamines, diuretics, and other medications. Alcohol consumption can also lead to fatigue. Heavy drinking can cause acute intoxication that results in confusion, diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness. Long-term alcohol abuse can cause memory problems, liver damage, depression, and anxiety.

Exercise is very energy demanding. In order to recuperate from exercise, your body needs to rest or relax. Fatigue therefore, is another name for exhaustion. The more active you are when trying to recover from exercise the faster you will return to your normal state. Sitting down for a few minutes every hour or so is good physical activity that will help you regain your energy.

Sleep is another area where our body needs recovery time. When we don’t get enough sleep, we feel tired the next day. Sleep helps release hormones that control appetite, boost immunity, and regulate mood. It also gives your muscles and joints a chance to repair themselves. Sleeping well each night is important for maintaining energy levels during the day.

The more you understand about why you get tired and what causes it, the better you’ll be able to maintain your energy levels.

How To Treat Adrenal Fatigue

Restoring your overworked, underactive adrenal glands may seem like an impossible task especially when youre already exhausted! Fortunately, the road to recovery is as simple as taking a new approach to looking after yourself and perhaps a few lifestyle changes. Here are 4 ways to start your recovery.

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What Causes Adrenal Fatigue

Your adrenals are two walnut-shaped glands that weigh about 0.2 ounces or 5 grams each and sit on top of your kidneys. They produce hormones that have a range of functions in your body, but one of their most important jobs is to ramp up production of stress hormones when youre under duress.

A few weeks or months of stress are all it takes to start taxing your adrenals and ramp up signs of hormone imbalance. The trouble is your brain and body dont register the difference between a true health threat and a flip out over something in your day . It treats that argument with your partner, social anxiety at the dinner party and overwhelms you feel about your to do list the same as if your life was under threat from a pack of hungry wolves.

What Is Calcium Channel Blockers Medication

Adrenal Fatigue and Blood Pressure

Calcium channel blockers are drugs that reduce the movement of calcium into cells of the heart and vessels. This reduces the strength of heart contractions and relaxes the arteries, allowing them to remain more open, lowering blood pressure. Side effects of calcium channel blockers can include heart palpitations, dizziness, swollen ankles, and constipation. Calcium channel blockers can be taken alone or with other blood pressure medications. They should be taken with food or milk. Because of potential interactions, those taking calcium channel blockers should avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice.

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Not Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is the bodys way of recharging.

Lack of adequate sleep puts you at risk of developing high blood pressure.

If you already have high blood pressure, not getting enough sleep regularly may worsen things and put you at risk for several heart conditions.

You may also experience mood changes and problems with your memory.

What Is The Connection Between Fatigue And High Blood Pressure

Fatigue and high blood pressure are linked in several ways. In people with chronic high blood pressure who are not receiving treatment, fatigue can be a symptom, as well as an indicator of damage to the cardiovascular system. In addition, certain medications used to manage high blood pressure have fatigue as a side effect, especially during the adjustment period when patients first start taking the medication. High blood pressure is usually associated with a constellation of other symptoms.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is defined as the point when blood pressure measurements start reaching 140/90 or higher. Many people do not experience symptoms, especially in the early stage, and the increased pressure does not directly cause fatigue. If the patient is not treated, however, the chronic hypertension starts to damage the organs of the body, including the kidneys, heart, eyes, and brain.

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Unexplained Fatigue Go To A Doctor Immediately As It May Be Due To Hypertension

Blood pressure can be easily managed with limiting salt intake and avoiding completely alcohol and smoking. A person trying to control his blood pressure should eat a diet consisting of lots of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Hypertensive patients should get enough quantities of calcium, potassium and magnesium in their bodies. Exercise is also an effective way of not only controlling blood pressure but also increasing energy levels. Besides these changes in lifestyle, doctors will also prescribe medicines to lower blood pressure.

If you experience unexplained fatigue, go to a doctor immediately as it may be due to hypertension. If untreated, hypertension can lead to further complications like heart attack and stroke.

Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

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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.

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Symptoms And Signs Of Hyperparathyroidism

  • Chronic fatigue / feeling tired all the time
  • General feeling of “illness” and “feeling bad” that can be hard to describe
  • Lack of interest in activities that you previously enjoyed
  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing
  • Atrial fibrillation / cardiac arrhythmias
  • High liver function tests
  • Development of MGUS and abnormal blood protein levels

Most people with hyperparathyroidism will have 5 – 6 of these symptoms or signs. Some will have lots of them. A few people will say they don’t have any… but after an operation they will often say otherwise. In general, the longer you have hyperparathyroidism, the more symptoms you will develop.

Not sure if you have a parathyroid problem? Download the CalciumPro App developed by our expert doctors. The app will graph and analyze your lab tests, help you diagnose hyperparathyroidism, and save you lots of doctor visits. Was top 3 medical app of 2014, 15 and 16.

Inability To Handle Stress

Do you find that the slightest amount of stress leaves you feeling overwhelmed? Adrenal Fatigue sufferers often have a difficult time dealing with physical or emotional stress. This is for exactly the same reasons that are behind that unrelenting feeling of tiredness. It all comes back to the low hormone levels associated with late-stage adrenal exhaustion.

When we encounter stress we depend on our adrenals to release hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. These hormones regulate our stress response and allow us to increase our strength, focus, and awareness when we need it. However, when the adrenals are fatigued they struggle to release the necessary amount of these hormones. Patients with Adrenal Fatigue often report a lack of enthusiasm, feelings of apathy or disinterest, irritability and anxiety.

There are many strategies that you can follow to improve your ability to handle stress. Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, light exercise, and the use of essential oils can all help.

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