High Blood Pressure - More Than 65 Million Americans Have It!

By Ricardo Henri


Introduction

High blood pressure or hypertension refers to high pressure (tension) in the arteries. It does not mean overly excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can increase blood pressure temporarily. Hypertension normally has no symptoms, but it can create serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. It causes the heart to work a lot harder and can harm the arteries, causing them to narrow a lot faster. It can also damage other parts of the body and is a major health problem in North America affecting 33% of Americans, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Hypertension

Hypertension, aka "high blood pressure", HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically raised and is assumed to be present when a person's systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or higher, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or higher. It can be classified as either primary or secondary and is one of the most common complex disorders, with genetic implications averaging 30%.

Hypertension can be a temporary or life time ailment, depending on the cause and is dangerous because it causes the heart to work much harder. Pre-hypertension is high blood tension between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the pre-hypertension range. If your blood tension is in the pre-hypertension range, it is more likely that you will end up with hypertension unless you take preventative action. Should you have this kind of hypertension, you may not need to take medication.

Heart

Some people may not realized they have high blood pressure until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When it is not found and treated, it can cause the heart to grow larger, which may lead to heart failure. With HBP, the heart works much harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater. If you don't have hypertension by age 55, you have a 90% probability of developing it at some point in your life, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Untreated, it will cause the heart to eventually overwork itself to the point at which serious damage may occur. About half of people having first-time heart attacks and two-thirds of people having first-time strokes suffer from HBP.

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Treatment

Treatment is focused on lowering water retention and lowering HBP to normal bounderies. When you first start treatment, your physician may want you to come to the office on a regular basis. Your physician will review the information with you and determine if your treatment program is working or if you need to make changes to it. Among the sixty one percent who are under treatment, only thirty five percent have their blood tension adequately controlled. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, talk to your physician.

Conclusion

Hypertension is called the silent killer because it usually produces no symptoms and is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease and stroke. HBP does not occur evenly throughout the population and occurs disproportionately more often in minority communities. High blood pressure rates are also rising among US children, alongside an epidemic of obesity. Hypertension in adults will usually be measured on at least 2 different MD visits before a diagnosis can be made. It can be treated with both lifestyle modifications, usually as the 1st step, and, if necessary, with medications. Diuretics work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body. Nearly one third American adults have high blood pressure. Once It begins, it normally lasts a lifetime. Fortunately, it can be easily diagnosed, and once you know you have it, you can work with your MD to control it.




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