Hypertension: High blood pressure has a direct effect not only on the heart but also on the skin; know how

 High blood pressure is a common problem all over the world. It mainly causes heart related diseases, but do you know that it also affects your skin? Yes, skin is not just the outer covering of the body, but it is our largest organ, which displays our health externally.

When high blood pressure affects blood flow and circulation, it hinders the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin. This can lead to common skin problems like dryness or dullness, and more serious conditions like erythema and petechiae. Wound healing can also be delayed.

How does blood pressure affect the skin?

High blood pressure damages the skin by affecting blood flow and circulation. This causes the vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow to the skin. As a result, immune cells are depleted and the skin is unable to regenerate or repair itself.

Redness

Redness of the skin is a common symptom of high blood pressure, called erythema. It occurs when the veins near the surface of the skin expand. This causes redness on the face, often referred to as a 'ruddy' complexion. It is seen in people whose high blood pressure is not under control.

Severe blood pressure

Severe high blood pressure that persists for a long time can make the skin thin and weak. This increases the risk of bruising or wounds and can also delay wound healing. High blood pressure has not been directly linked to skin diseases like acne and psoriasis, but it is believed that it can aggravate these diseases.

High blood pressure not only affects the skin directly, but it can also show up on the skin when there are problems in other organs and systems of the body. Diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease - all of these can cause skin problems.

Therefore, it is important to control high blood pressure to protect skin health. Physical activity, maintaining weight, reducing salt intake and avoiding alcohol and stress - all these help in controlling blood pressure. Also, proper skin care like using gentle cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreen is also important.