Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as it flows through them. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. 

When you have hypertension, your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your body. And although it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms, chronic hypertension can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems. 

Your healthcare provider can diagnose hypertension and choose the most appropriate treatment. Although the guidelines for diagnosing it may vary among healthcare professionals, American Heart Association (AHA) suggests the following evaluation guidelines:

●  Normal blood pressure: 120/80mmHg or less

●  Elevated blood pressure: 120/80mmHg or higher 

●  High blood pressure: 130/80mmHg or higher

Elevated blood pressure differs from hypertension as it is a temporary condition caused by stress, dehydration, or lack of sleep. It’s a normal response to stress or illness, and blood pressure usually returns to normal after a few hours or days. If you have elevated blood pressure for more than 6 months, it's considered chronic.

Whereas hypertension is a long-term condition in which the force of your blood against your artery walls is consistently high enough to cause damage over time. It's often called the “silent killer” because it may have no symptoms until it causes damage like heart attacks or strokes.

Hypertension is a “silent killer,” meaning that many people might not even notice any symptoms. In fact, it’s estimated that 46% of adults with the condition are unaware of it. The only way to know for sure is to measure your blood pressure regularly.

If you have severe hypertension, it can cause signs and symptoms such as:

●  Headache or dizziness

●  Extreme fatigue 

●  Chest pain or shortness of breath

●  Nausea and vomiting

●  Sleep problems 

●  Weight loss and weight gain

●  Swelling in your hands, feet, or face

●  Excessive sweating or flushing of the face

●  Irritability, anxiety, depression, etc.

It’s a bad idea to wait for these symptoms to manifest – they can mean that the damage has already been done. Check your blood pressure regularly, and you’ll be able to fix it at an early stage.

Hypertension can lead to a number of health conditions and complications. The most common complications include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and eye damage. 

Heart disease

Chronic high blood pressure can lead to heart failure, which is when your heart is unable to pump blood properly throughout your body. Because high blood pressure causes the narrowing of the arteries, it can slow down the blood flow to the heart, causing coronary heart disease. 

Other complications may include: 

- Arrhythmia

- Heart attack 

- Cardiac arrest

- Ischemic heart disease

Stroke

Hypertension can increase your risk of stroke by up to 50%. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain stops working because one or more arteries are blocked by plaque or clogged with cholesterol. 

The symptoms of a stroke include weakness or numbness in your face or limbs, difficulty speaking, vision loss, balance problems, and sudden confusion or trouble understanding people talking around you. 

Kidney disease

High blood pressure puts extra stress on your kidneys and can eventually damage them over time leading to kidney failure if left untreated. If you have chronic kidney disease and your blood pressure is not under control, you are at risk of organ damage.

Eye damage

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in your eyes and cause vision loss or blindness. It also increases the risk of glaucoma, which can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.

The exact cause of hypertension is not always clear, but several factors can increase your chance of developing it:

●  Genetics: People with family members who have or have had high blood pressure are more likely to have hypertension themselves.

Age: As we age, our blood vessels lose elasticity and become less able to regulate blood pressure.

●  Stress: Stress can cause your heart rate to increase, which increases the amount of blood your heart pumps out with each beat. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure.

●  Diet and exercise habits: Eating foods with too much sodium (like processed foods) or not eating enough fruits and vegetables may increase your risk of hypertension. Exercise is also important for regulating blood pressure – the more active you are, the better off you'll be!

●  Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol can cause your blood vessels to relax, increasing blood pressure. If you already have hypertension, it's best to limit how much alcohol you drink.

●  Smoking: Smoking can cause your blood vessels to narrow. Additionally, smoking increases your body's production of adrenaline and other stress hormones. This can cause your heart rate to increase, which can also cause a rise in blood pressure.

Everyone is susceptible to high blood pressure because of the stress in our lives, our unhealthy eating habits, and limited exercise. It's important to monitor your blood pressure regularly and work toward healthy lifestyle choices. 

Exercise, healthy nutrition, and enough sleep will go a long way in managing your blood pressure and improving your overall health.

The first line of treatment for hypertension is lifestyle changes. Your doctor may prescribe medications if your case is severe, but most of the time – it’s all about physical activity, diet, and healthy habits. 

The idea is that you should eliminate the causes – everything that causes your blood pressure to rise: alcohol, smoking, stress, and processed foods. For example, smoking increases your risk of developing high blood pressure by as much as 50%. So if you smoke, stop today.

Eating more fruits and vegetables and cutting back on salt will also help keep your blood pressure down. Try not to snack between meals, but if you must have something in between, try healthy snacks like fruit or nuts instead of chips or cookies.

The role of exercise in maintaining good cardiovascular health cannot be overestimated. Regular physical activity can strengthen your heart and lower your blood pressure to safe levels. 

If you’re now thinking about endless hours in the gym and strenuous workouts – you’re wrong. You don’t even have to go to the gym; doing anything that makes your heart beat faster will do the job. People with hypertension are recommended aerobic exercises of moderate intensity. It can be jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing, or simply walking. 

However, it’s very important not to overdo it, as too much exercise can cause a spike in blood pressure. If you haven’t exercised in a while, start slowly with walking or swimming, these are low-impact activities that won’t put too much stress on your body. And remember: even just a few minutes of exercise every day can make a big difference in preventing high blood pressure.

Rope flow is a fun and exciting way of exercise that can loosen up your joints and muscles and help you lower your blood pressure. You don’t need to go anywhere or buy tons of equipment – all you need is just one rope. 

You can take your rope to work and do 5-minute workouts during the break. Or you can practice in the morning or in the evening – it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you will have regular aerobic exercise that will get your heart pumping. 

Aside from being a great way to get healthy and feel good about yourself, this form of exercise can also help you reduce stress and anxiety. Rope flowing makes you fully concentrate on the present moment, paying all your attention to the rope. It can act as a form of meditation that will clear your mind and calm you down. 

Five thousand people who joined the Octomoves community now already see the benefits. For example, in this episode of Octomoves spotlight, Nina shares her past struggles with hypertension, which was even worse when she got stressed. Within a few months, she could get rid of two clogs with the help of a few minutes of rope flow moves. 

Hypertension is a common condition that can progress without manifesting any symptoms. The only way to ensure your heart and blood vessels are in good shape is to measure your blood pressure regularly. 

Leading a healthy lifestyle is the first step in maintaining your cardiovascular wellness, and flow ropes are your invaluable tool for achieving this. Without putting too much effort, you will be able to get all the benefits of regular exercise, together with reduced stress and anxiety.