Job Hazards

High Blood Pressure

It is possible to have high blood pressure, or hypertension, for years without knowing it because some individuals never experienced a single symptom. Nevertheless, when high blood pressure is ignored, your chances of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health complications increase.

Blood pressure is calculated based on two variables: the amount of blood your heart pumps and how much your arteries restrict the blood flow. The greater the volume of blood being pumped and the narrower your arteries are, the higher your blood pressure is going to be.

In some cases, high blood pressure arises without signs or symptoms. Since it eventually affects almost everyone at some point in their lives, if you don't have high blood pressure by the time you turn 55, you still have a 90 percent chance of developing the condition. However, hypertension is easily detectable and can be managed once you realize you have it.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

According to the American Heart Association, no culprit can be identified in nine out of ten high blood pressure cases. This kind of high blood pressure, known as essential or primary hypertension, takes a number of years to mature. The other five to ten percent of high blood pressure cases usually stem from some underlying condition. The onset of secondary hypertension is more sudden and may result in higher blood pressure than primary hypertension. Ailments such as kidney irregularities, adrenal gland tumors, or various congenital heart problems may cause secondary hypertension.

Medication such as birth control pills, cold remedies, nasal decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers, and select prescription drugs may be responsible for secondary hypertension. A study conducted in 2005 concluded that women taking at least 500 milligrams of acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) everyday for many years were more vulnerable to hypertension than females who took none at all. It is unknown whether men will react the same way. Narcotics like cocaine and amphetamines can also cause a rise in blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

Even when blood pressure readings are off the charts, people with high blood pressure rarely display signs or symptoms. Some people may experience slight headaches, vertigo, or nosebleeds in the early stages, but these normally do not occur until the later, potentially life-threatening phases.