Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure, while hypotension is the word for low blood pressure. When it comes to medical problems like hypertension and hypotension, it's important to know that the two can be opposites, but both are dangerous. Most people find out if they have normal or abnormal blood pressure at regular medical appointments, as both hypertension and hypotension are considered serious enough that most doctors regularly monitor blood pressure. Unfortunately, some only find out after the problem has already caused impossible-to-ignore symptoms or serious medical conditions related to hypertension and hypotension.
Many people suffer from hypertension, as their resting blood pressure is consistently higher than it should be. Unfortunately, most people don't find out about their hypertension for years because there are few definitive symptoms associated with it, especially in mild cases. Symptoms of accelerated hypertension include vision problems, fatigue, headaches, and vomiting, although only a minority of patients are diagnosed with this type or experience any of these signs. Instead, high blood pressure can go undetected for years, often leading to stroke, heart failure, aneurysm, or kidney failure. Even without these complications, having high blood pressure consistently can lead to a shorter life expectancy.
On the other hand, hypotension carries many symptoms, which means that patients suffering from low blood pressure seem to be more likely to receive treatment than those with high blood pressure. Hypotensive patients typically complain of dizziness, headaches, chest pains, shortness of breath, nausea, and a rapidly beating heart. Although having symptoms may mean that hypotensive patients are likely to seek medical treatment, the unfortunate side is that most symptoms are caused by underlying problems and not just low blood pressure. These include bleeding, anemia, congestive heart failure, sepsis, and other troublesome medical issues.
In most cases, both hypertension and hypotension can be treated when recognized, or even prevented in some cases. Hypertension can often be eliminated with weight loss, the addition of an exercise routine, and a low-sodium diet. Available medications include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics, to name a few. Hypotension usually requires a doctor to address the underlying problem, but the use of steroids, certain medications, and blood sugar control may help. While both hypertension and hypotension can become quite serious and should never be ignored, each problem can usually be treated when caught early.