About Hypertension
High Blood Pressure (or hypertension) is a chronic increase of blood pressure to levels above normal; blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against artery walls. It is very common and affects as many as 65 million Americans.
There are two kinds of Hypertension
- Essential Hypertension (known as primary) is high blood pressure for which a specific cause is unknown. 90-95% of hypertension cases fall into this category.
- Secondary Hypertension is high blood pressure that is a symptom of an identified medical problem, such as kidney disease. If the medical problem is fixed, the high blood pressure decreases.
Causes of Hypertension
Exact causes not known (DETECTABLE AND USUALLY CONTROLLABLE)
Hereditary factors: race, age (MEN AT GREATER RISKS, AFRICAN AMERICANS MORE THAN CAUCASIANS). Environmental and life style factors: salt, weight, stress, alcohol, lack of exercise
How blood pressure is measured
- Systolic – the top number, gives the measurement of the blood’s force against blood vessel walls as the heart beats.
- Diastolic – the bottom number, is the measurement of the blood’s force against blood vessels walls when the heart is at rest between beats
What the numbers mean – a person has hypertension when either systolic or diastolic blood pressure is at or above 140/90 mmHg.
How Do You Feel with High Blood Pressure
Hypertension has no easily identified symptoms; it is dubbed as a ‘Silent Killer’ because its results can be deathly.
Dangers of High Blood Pressure
Target Organ Damage: Heart Attack and Angina, Heart Failure, Brain, Kidneys, Eyes
Taking Control of your High Blood Pressure - Six ways to lower Blood Pressure
- Lower salt intake.
- Get at least 30-45 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
- Achieve and maintain an appropriate weight.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Quit smoking.
- Take medications as prescribed.
Be sure to visit your physician regularly so that your blood pressure is monitored properly.
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