When most people think of the risks associated with high blood pressure– also known as hypertension– they tend to focus on heart attacks, strokes, or kidney disease. But did you know that unmanaged hypertension can also elevate your danger for hearing loss, particularly as you get older?
Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, typically begins to show signs in your 40s, 50s, or 60s. It may advance gradually and without obvious symptoms, but the damage it creates is often permanent. Age-related hearing loss often results from extended exposure to sound, resulting in gradual deterioration of the ear’s delicate mechanisms over time. One significant but frequently ignored contributing factor is high blood pressure, which can damage the delicate blood vessels in the inner ear.
Why is it important to understand blood pressure?
Blood pressure is a measure of the power of blood flow in your arteries. Consistently high blood pressure can cause strain to your blood vessels. Prolonged exposure to this condition can lead to arterial degeneration, causing the blood vessels to become rigid, constricted, or jeopardized, which in turn elevates the danger of developing serious health issues, including impaired hearing.
Your blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers:
- The systolic reading, which is the top number, signifies the force of blood flow when the heart contracts.
- The diastolic pressure, indicated by the bottom number, assesses the pressure during the heart’s resting phase.
Blood pressure categories
- Healthy Blood Pressure: Below 120/80 mm Hg
- Elevated: 120-129/<80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80 -89 mm Hg
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140+/ 90+ mm Hg
- Severe High Blood Pressure: Exceeding 180/120 mm Hg (immediate medical attention necessary)
- Adopt a heart-healthy diet: Focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Consider beginning with the DASH or Mediterranean diet for a healthy basis.
- Try to engage in moderate physical activity for a minimum of 150 minutes every week to maintain regular exercise.
- Decrease salt intake: Limit processed and fast foods, which are often high in sodium.
- Adhere to medication instructions: If advised, consistently adhere to the guidelines for taking your blood pressure medication as provided by your physician.
- Reduce stress: Incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga into your daily routine.
- To prevent damage from loud noises, make sure to restrict the time you spend around them. Don’t forget to use ear protection whenever you are at a concert, working with noisy machinery, or in loud settings.
- Think about utilizing protective gear for your ears, such as earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, to lower the chances of harm to your hearing caused by loud noises.
- Routine check-ups with a hearing specialist can considerably enhance the success of treatment and total ear health by catching any potential issues early on.