High blood pressure in young adults: causes and treatment

Only a young adult who has had a near-death experience with high blood pressure can describe how it feels. No wonder it is called "the silent killer" because it occurs suddenly without warning signs. Almost half of young adults over the age of 20 have elevated or high blood pressure — even if they look healthy. 
It is no news that 76.2 million Nigerians are hypertensive, 23 million are on treatment. One in three adults (33.3 percent has hypertension, while only one-third (about 23 million) are on treatment. High blood pressure contributes to lots of mortality from a variety of causes, including heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke.
The American  Heart Association defines "normal" blood pressure as a systolic pressure under  120 and a diastolic pressure under 80 - or 120/80. Anything above 140/90 is considered hypertensive. Figures in between are considered pre-hypertensive.
Increased blood pressure puts stress on the heart and can harm the sensitive blood vessels in your eyes and kidneys, cause bleeding in the brain, and even lead specific arteries to swell and burst. The fact that hypertension can damage so many organs and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, the two leading killers, explains why it is the number-one killer risk factor worldwide.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure also know as hypertension, is when the force of the blood pushing on the blood vessel walls is too high. When someone has high blood pressure:
1. The heart has to pump blood harder.
2. The arteries (blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart) are under great stress as they carry blood.
If ignored, high blood pressure can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Treating high blood pressure early can help young adults stay healthy.
What Is "Normal" Blood Pressure?
1. Normal blood pressure: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80).
2. Elevated blood pressure: 120-129/less than 80.
3. Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130-139/80-89.
4. Stage 2 high blood pressure: 140 and above/90 and above.
5. Hypertension crisis: higher than 180/higher than 120 - See a doctor as soon as possible.
If your blood pressure is above the normal range, talk to your doctor about how to lower it.
Causes of High Blood Pressure 
The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known, but the causes can be classified into two distinct parts:
1. Primary or Essential high blood pressure: This hypertension has no known cause.
2. Secondary high blood pressure: Certain health issues can be associated with the cause of this type of high blood pressure.
Although essential high blood pressure has no identifiable cause, but there are scientific evidence that links specific diseases or factors to the risk of developing hypertension. These include:
1. Age.
2. Family history (hereditary) and race.
3. Obesity and lack of physical exercise or activity.
4. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
5. Poor diet and high cholesterol.
6. Mental stress.
7. Diabetes and kidney disease.
8. Lung and heart problems.
9. Some medicines such as; ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers, anti-hypertensive drugs, calcium channel blockers, and vasodilators.
10. Sleep apnea.
11. Adrenal and thyroid disorders.
12. Birth control pills.
High Blood Pressure Brain Symptoms 
1. Headaches.
2. Dizziness and blurred or double vision.
3. Nausea,  vomiting, and nose bleeds.
High Blood Pressure Heart Symptoms
1. Heart palpitations and breathlessness.
2. Chest pain
3. Weakness
How to Treat or Lower High Blood Pressure?
The steps to treating or lowering blood pressure are not as unbearable as young adults may think. If you smoke, you will need to stop. Doing the following will help to treat or lower high blood;
1. Maintaining a healthy weight. If you are a young adult who is overweight, losing a few pounds can lower your blood pressure.
2. Reduce your salt intake.
3. Getting plenty of exercises. Try to exercise for at least 90 minutes every week.
4. Limiting alcohol consumption.
5. Eat healthy meals. Eat fewer junk foods, and aim for a diet low in saturated/trans fats and high in fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
6. Avoid caffeine (found in sodas, tea, coffee, and energy drinks).
7. Medications. Medications can be used to treat severe cases, but for some young adults, switching to a healthy lifestyle and eating a balanced diet could be all they need to keep their high blood pressure in check.