We don’t always know when there’s something wrong with us. That’s an unfortunate truth. We may look and feel fine while deep inside our body, something isn’t working properly. That’s unfortunate when you consider that most conditions can be treated more effectively when they’re caught early.
Take high blood pressure. It is entirely possible to go through life unaware you have high blood pressure. You might not find out until you have a heart attack or stroke or one of the other serious and sometimes even life-threatening conditions that become more likely when you have hypertension.
That’s why doctors like to take your blood pressure fairly regularly, especially if you’re in a high-risk category for hypertension (like if you’re over 65). It’s the only way to be absolutely certain that your blood pressure is higher than it should be and that you need to take steps to manage it.
Hypertension isn’t always completely without symptoms. It can cause some dizziness and shortness of breath. You may experience blurred vision, headaches or chest pain. Sometimes you may have a nosebleed. Of course, most of these are fairly generic symptoms that can be associated with a range of conditions or even be part of the day-to-day aches and pains that everyone experiences sometimes.
Luckily, the steps to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure are simple, and they’re likely to improve your general health and mood even if there’s no obvious connection to your blood pressure. The kind of lifestyle changes that are your first defense against hypertension should be part of any attempt to achieve a long and high-quality life.
Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Don’t eat as much salt or drink as much alcohol. Stop smoking, and try to lose weight. Make sure you get enough sleep and sufficient exercise. If these things sound familiar, it’s because they’re part of pretty much every piece of health advice you’re ever likely to receive.
You might not be able to tell if your blood pressure is improving without seeing your doctor again, but you will be able to tell if you’re losing weight and building muscle if you’ve got more energy and your mood is brighter. These are all welcome side effects of a healthy lifestyle. Even if you can’t see what’s wrong, you can take steps to feel better.
