High blood pressure, or hypertension is a common condition that occurs when ones blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels. The older one gets the more likelier one will get it. High blood pressure is often called a silent killer. Why? Because it doesn’t always have physical or outward symptoms.

Everything goes on internally meaning that you could have it for years and not know and if not discovered on time, It can quietly damage your major organs and eventually lead to death.

Early detection is key. Regular blood pressure readings can help you and your doctor notice any changes and help you get the necessary help.
Normal blood pressure readings should fall below 120/80. The top number (systolic) shows the pressure when your heart beats while lower number (diastolic) measures pressure at rest between heartbeats, when your heart refills with blood.

A higher systolic reading (121-129), with a diastolic reading less than 80, indicates a possible cause of hypertension. A systolic reading between 130 and 139 and a diastolic reading between 80 and 89, is stage 1 high blood pressure.
A systolic reading of 140 or higher and a diastolic reading of 90 or greater diastolic is stage 2 hypertension. If your systolic is over 180 or your diastolic is above over 120, please visit the hospital with immediate effect as you could go into cardiac arrest or have hypertensive crisis.

Causes High Blood Pressure
The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known, but the following may play a role. They include:
* Smoking
* Overweight/Obesity
* Lack of physical activities
* Too much salt in the diet
* Excessive consumption alcohol
* Stress
* Age
* Genetics and hereditary
* Race

Most people living with hypertension almost never know they have it till a doctors visit or health incident occurs. However, some people have symptoms, but waiting for a symptom of this condition to appear could be fatal.
Some Symptoms of severe hypertension can include:
* headaches
* shortness of breath
* nosebleeds
* flushing
* dizziness
* chest pain
* visual changes
* blood in the urine
*
On observing any of the aforementioned symptoms, pay your doctor a visit. Delay in detecting and treating hbp can lead to damaged arteries, cardiac arrest, heart failure, Brain damage, stroke and eventually death.

General treatments for high blood pressure
On visiting a doctor, some medications (e.g Beta-blockers, Diuretics, Calcium channel blockers, etc) might be prescribed for you to help you, accompanied with a change in your everyday lifestyle which includes:
-Monitor your blood pressure regularly
-Develop a healthy diet (Eat less meat, more plants)
-Exercise regularly (cardio)
-Reduce your sodium intake (salt)
-Learn to manage stress
-Reach a healthy weight
-Cut back on sweets intake
Every individual should have an electronic blood pressure machine and should regularly check their blood pressure.