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Blood Pressure Relation Symptoms of hypertension treatment

High Blood Pressure & Sodium Levels : The Link

  • By AradhyaGiri
  • Last Updated: 23/10/2021 16:44
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Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney and other diseases. It is one of the major causes of premature death worldwide. Mostly because more than 50% of people suffering from it remain undiagnosed. On an average, only 1 out of 5 adults have it under control.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries & veins as your heart pumps blood around your body. If this pressure becomes too high, you are said to have high blood pressure, or hypertension.

Blood Sodium Levels & Hypertension : The Relation

Non-modifiable risk factors for hypertension include;

  • A family history of hypertension

  • Individuals over 65 years of age

  • A history of diseases like Diabetes & CKD


While risk factors that can be controlled consist of;

  • An Unhealthy Diet (excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables), 

  • Physical Inactivity

  • Consumption of Tobacco and Alcohol

  • Being Overweight or Obese

  • All these modifiable factors have one thing in common : They all lead to increased sodium levels in the blood. 

  • Over time, excessive sodium levels in the blood leads to high blood pressure (hypertension), which stiffens and narrows the blood vessels. 

  • Blood and oxygen flow to vital organs decreases. So the heart tries harder to pump blood throughout the body, which further increases blood pressure.


Symptoms Of Hypertension

Hypertension is called a 'silent killer'. Most people suffering from hypertension have no warning signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is essential that blood pressure is measured regularly.
When symptoms do occur, they can include;

  1. Early Morning Headaches

  2. Nosebleeds

  3. Irregular Heart Rhythms

  4. Vision Changes

  5. and Buzzing in the Ears


Severe hypertension can cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors.

Treatment And Prevention

/ If a person is diagnosed with Hypertension, the main goals of the treatment plan would be to keep the blood pressure under control, and to protect against any further harm to vital organs. Along with medication, the individual would be introduced to several diet and lifestyle changes too like;

Monitoring Sodium Levels

Early detection of diseases like hypertension (high blood pressure) can be life-saving. A regular track of one’s blood pressure with an occasional checking of blood sodium levels are the perfect measures to take if you’re a person who is at a high risk for acquiring high blood pressure.