High blood pressure why is it dangerous

What is high blood pressure? Why is it important to know if you have high blood pressure? How can you manage your high blood pressure?

Types of High Blood pressure medicine Mechanism of Action Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors decrease certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently. Beta Blockers relax blood vessels and slow the heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure. Calcium Channel Blockers relax the blood vessels so that the heart does not have to pump as hard.

Peripherally Acting Alpha-Adrenergic Blockers relax the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. Angiotension II Receptor Blockers block the action of certain natural substances that tighten the blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently. Vasodilators relax the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. Centrally Acting Alpha Adrenergics decrease the heart rate and relax the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.

Renin Inhibitors decrease certain natural chemicals that tighten the blood vessels so that blood vessels relax and the heart can pump blood more efficiently. Diuretics sometimes called "water pills" works in the kidneys to rid the body of unneeded water and salt into the urine. It makes you more likely to develop heart failure. When your arteries are hardened or narrowed, your heart has to work harder to circulate your blood.

This increased workload can cause your heart to become larger and fail to supply your organs with blood. You may experience chest pain. Chest pain, also called angina, occurs when the heart does not get the blood it needs. When people with high blood pressure perform activities such as walking uphill, going up steps, or exercising, angina can cause pressure, squeezing, pain, or a feeling of fullness in the chest. It can cause kidney damage. High blood pressure can cause damage to the arteries around your kidneys.

This can reduce their ability to do their job and, at worst, lead to kidney failure. You are more likely to develop vision problems. Your eyes are full of small blood vessels that can easily be strained or damaged by high blood pressure.

It also can cause swelling of your optic nerve. Lowering your blood pressure sometimes can reverse vision problems. But high blood pressure left untreated can cause permanent vision loss or impairment. You could develop sexual dysfunction. If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.

Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as:.

If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions. The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test. All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years. You can also check your blood pressure yourself with a home blood pressure monitor. Find out more about getting a blood pressure test. It's not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but there are things that can increase your risk.