It is very important to control high BP immediately or else it can lead to disability, poor quality of life, or even a deadly heart attack or stroke
What damage does high blood pressure cause?
According to the Mayo Clinic, uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause immense damage to the
Arteries
Arteries of the heart that are healthy and flexible remain strong and elastic. Their inner lining is smooth so that blood flows freely, supplying vital organs and tissues with nutrients and oxygen. However, with an increase in blood pressure, hypertension causes damaged and narrowed arteries and complete damage to the cells of the arteries’ inner lining.
Also, the constant pressure of blood moving through a weakened artery causes a section of its wall to enlarge and form a bulge, also known as an aneurysm. It can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, causing internal bleeding.
Heart
The heart is one of the most important, yet delicate organs. If you suffer from chronic high blood pressure, your arteries have trouble supplying blood which leads to pain or angina, irregular heart rhythms, or even a heart attack.
High blood pressure also causes a lot of pressure on the heart muscle, weakening them, and eventually causing a heart attack.
Brain
If the heart doesn’t function properly, it affects the brain in a major way. Because of high blood pressure, you may have a mini-stroke which is a brief, temporary disruption of blood supply to the brain. Also, a full-fledged stroke may occur when part of the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients, causing brain cells to die.
Sexual dysfunction
Increased blood pressure can lead to the inability to have and maintain an erection, also known as erectile dysfunction. It happens as the blood flow gets limited supply to the penis because of high BP.
How to lower blood pressure immediately?
Try these easy steps at home to try to lower your blood pressure immediately without medication:
- Take a deep breath and relax. Stress leads to
anxiety which raises your blood pressure. However, calming down can significantly lower it. Learning breath exercises that slow your heart rate and promote relaxation. - Drinking water as dehydration is one of the major causes of high blood pressure.
- Try going out for a short walk or doing some physical activity to help lower your blood pressure.
- Just pop some dark chocolate in your mouth. It is loaded with flavonoids, which have been shown to lower blood pressure.
- Immediately take a cold-water shower as it can cause your blood vessels to constrict, which can lower your blood pressure.
- Stop smoking and drinking with immediate effect.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
A few signs and symptoms of high blood pressure are:
- Splitting headaches
- Nose bleeding
- Dizziness
- Skin flushing and redness
- Blood in the urine
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
