Providing nutritional support for glaucoma management
Your Eyes Can Signal High Blood Pressure: Here Are Signs To Watch Out For
The human body is a complex and interconnected system. Every part of the body, including organs, tissues, and cells, relies on and influences other parts in various ways. For example, the circulatory system, which includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood, transports oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body, including the eyes. That said, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This condition is known as hypertensive retinopathy. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Jay Shah, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad, discusses how hypertension affects the eyes and the symptoms to watch out for.
Also Read: How Often Should You Check Your Blood Pressure: Tips To Measure It Accurately
Understanding Hypertensive Retinopathy
"High blood pressure can lead to serious eye conditions, such as hypertensive retinopathy, where the blood vessels in the retina become damaged," said Dr Shah, adding, "High blood pressure can cause signs such as retinal haemorrhages, cotton wool spots, and narrowed arteries." However, the doctor says that these signs may not only be exclusive to high blood pressure but can also be caused by other conditions.
According to Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure can also cause fluid build under the retina, also called choroidopathy. It can cause symptoms such as distorted vision or sometimes scarring that impairs vision. In addition, nerve damage, or optic neuropathy can occur, leading to bleeding within the eye or vision loss.
Hypertensive retinopathy is relatively common among individuals with high blood pressure, particularly those with long-standing and poorly controlled hypertension. According to a study published in the Saudi Medical Journal, the prevalence rate of retinopathy in patients suffering from mild hypertension was 25.3%, moderate hypertension was 34.5% and severe hypertension 84.6%.
Signs Of High BP In Your Eyes
Some of the common symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy include:
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often referred to as a "silent killer" because it typically does not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. However, as blood pressure rises to more severe levels, some individuals may experience certain symptoms. These can include:
According to Dr Shah, early detection and management of high blood pressure can preserve both ocular and overall health.
BottomlineIt's important to note that the above-mentioned symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions, so it is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured using a blood pressure cuff. Regular monitoring of blood pressure is recommended, especially for individuals with risk factors such as obesity, family history of hypertension, or a sedentary lifestyle. If you experience any of the above symptoms or have concerns about your blood pressure, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.
Tips On How To Lower Your Blood Pressure
How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Dr. Holly Phillips Recommends How to Protect Your Skin From Cancer-Causing Rays Almost 100 Whales Die on Beach in Western Australia How This Ukrainian Woman is Working to Revive a Once Desolate Village Amid War 2 Kids Missing After Pennsylvania Flash Flooding Kills Mom on Way to BBQ Cows Trained to Take Selfies on a Family Farm in Turkey Tourists Still Flock to Rome Despite Officials' Warning of Extreme Heatwave 'Power Couple' Sleeps on London Rooftop to Raise Money for Solar Panel Installation Kosovo's Parliament Got Into Physical Fight When Water Thrown on Prime Minister Handcuffed Man Steals Police Car Then Crashes Object That Washed Up on Australian Shores May Be Part of a Rocket Tradition of Counting Swans on the Thames Goes Back to 1100s California Thief Steals Car Owner's 15-Foot Charging Cable for Electric Vehicle Finnish Company Creates an Electric 18-Wheel ATV Sugar Substitute Aspartame Possibly Causes Cancer, Still Safe in Moderation: WHO Nuns Asked to Leave Parish as Wildfires Loom in Athens, Greece Woman Accidentally Binds Eye Closed and Other Glue Mishaps Rescuers Save 2 People Trapped in an SUV in a Chinese Reservoir Woman Screams in Horror as Boy Falls From Zipline in Mexico New Jersey Man Says Neighbor Cut Down 40 Trees Behind His Home for a Better View
High Blood Pressure Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" because despite being one of the most common fatal conditions worldwide, most people are unaware they have the condition because it presents with very few or no symptoms.
Diagnosis is therefore often not made until the disease has progressed enough to cause symptoms, at which stage it often has life threatening outcomes such as stroke. Because of the lack of specific symptoms, adults should have their blood pressure measured every five years.
Blood pressureBlood pressure is the pressure exerted against the walls of blood vessels as the heart pumps blood through them. An increased blood pressure means too much strain is being placed on the artery walls which can lead to complications such as a stroke, kidney damage or heart attack.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) using an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. There are two numerical figures of blood pressure - the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the higher figure and indicates the pressure of the blood when the heart beats.
Diastolic pressure is the lower figure and indicates the pressure of the blood when the heart rests between two beats. A normal blood pressure level is one of around 120/80 mm Hg while a pressure over 140/90 mm Hg is considered high.
Risk factors and symptomsThe risk of hypertension is increased in people who are overweight or obese, those of African or Caribbean origin and those with a diet high in salt but low in fresh fruits and vegetables. People who do not get enough exercise, who smoke or drink too much alcohol or who are aged over 65 years are also at an increased risk. High blood pressure also runs in families.
Diagnosis and treatmentHypertension is measured using a sphygmomanometer which may be used to regularly monitor the blood pressure level in someone who is diagnosed with the condition. There are several groups of antihypertensive medication that can be used to control blood pressure.
Over time, high blood pressure can damage organs such as the kidneys, eyes and brain and these are routinely examined for hypertension-induced damage.
Further Reading
Comments
Post a Comment