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Whether they live with high blood pressure or low blood pressure, and despite their risk factors being different, there is one thing that all blood pressure patients can seem to agree on.

Until they saw a major symptom, they had no idea that they were even at risk!

A large chunk of people in the world lives unaware of the fact that they are hypertensive, and are clueless about the potential complications it can cause them. Effective and timely diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective disease management.

Being vary of the telltale symptoms of high blood pressure, and knowing exactly how it is diagnosed can help you prevent complications. 

High Blood Pressure: The Tell-Tale Symptoms

The biggest danger about hypertension is how often it goes undiagnosed, just because its symptoms aren’t obvious. Only in severe cases, a patient may experience symptoms like shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and severe headaches. 

If you are above 45 and have risk factors like being obese, or is genetically predisposed, you should stay on top of your health through regular checkups. Minor symptoms like sleep issues, nervousness, sweating, and facial flushing can also be indicative of high blood pressure. If you notice these symptoms frequently, it will do well to get yourself to the doctor. 

Hypertension Diagnosis Approaches to Know

Checking a patient’s blood pressure is one of the most common factors during a regular checkup. Whether it is with a mechanical or digital blood pressure monitor, the doctor can check and know if your blood pressure is within the acceptable range of 120/80 mmHg. If your systolic or diastolic pressure is too high or too low, it can be problematic in the long run. 

Especially after the age of 50, doctors recommend regular monitoring of blood pressure. Most doctors suggest getting one’s own BP monitor and tracking daily. Routine self-tracking has shown considerable result in effectively managing hypertension. 

During regular checkups, doctors will take multiple readings to ensure that the reading is accurate, as it tends to vary through the day. An ambulatory blood pressure monitoring test is another variant that doctors employ for knowing blood pressure. It is done by measuring your BP at regular intervals during a 24 hour period.

Routine tests such as urine analysis, blood tests, cholesterol tests and even an electrocardiogram can aid in diagnosing hypertension. Testing your blood for electrolyte levels, blood glucose, thyroid functions, kidney functions including creatinine levels are important in this regard. 

Hypertension Risk Factors To Watch Out For

As earlier mentioned, the best way to prevent serious hypertension complication is to be aware of your risk factors and be on the lookout for symptoms. Some of the most important risk factors are age, race, family history and being overweight or obese.

Lack of physical activity can increase your resting heart rate, which in turn can be hard work for the heart. The usage of tobacco can damage the lining of the artery walls, making it narrow and eventually leading to hypertension and heart disease.  High amounts of sodium in your diet and fewer amounts of potassium can also lead to hypertension. 

Anyone who drinks more than one or two glasses of alcohol a day is advised to regularly track their blood pressure. Large amounts of alcohol can damage your heart and arteries, and lead to further complications.

Frequent bouts of stress can also cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. The most commonly relied upon coping mechanisms for stress are eating, drinking or smoking, which could also worsen your health. Finding healthier alternatives to these, such as exercise, meditation, or gardening can improve your hypertension management chances. 

Winding Down…

Being aware is the greatest power you have in your fight against hypertension. Consistently monitoring your blood pressure, keeping up with all your appointments and regular tests can all aid in this. While approaches like an ambulatory blood pressure reading may be effective, it won’t be as effective as at-home tracking devices. 

By getting your own device and making a habit out of continuous self-monitoring, you are creating healthier habits that can aid in improving your overall wellbeing, while effectively preventing and/or managing chronic ailments.

Phable is an innovative lifestyle disease management app simplifying life for patients & doctors through health monitoring and doctor intervention.

Download Phable Here!