High Blood Pressure / Hypertension Information

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• General High Blood Pressure / Hypertension Information
• Possible Causes of High Blood Pressure / Hypertension
• Possible Symptoms and Complications of High Blood Pressure / Hypertension
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General High Blood Pressure / Hypertension Information
Blood pressure (BP), also called hypertension, is the force of blood as it passes through the arteries. As blood circulates through the arteries, it presses against the walls of the blood vessels. In order to sustain life, blood must not only be kept circulating, but it must also circulate at an appropriate pressure. When this pressure is abnormally high, the person is said to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure has adverse effects on the heart, kidneys and brain and can contribute to the development of heart attacks and stroke. Blood pressure depends on the output from the heart, the resistance to the blood flow by the vessels, the volume of blood in the body, and the distribution of the blood to various organs.

High blood pressure affects one out of every five American adults. Nearly half of those with high blood pressure are unaware that they have it. Of those who are aware, 20% do not obtain adequate treatment.

The blood pressure of a normal, healthy adult is 120/80. The first number is the systolic pressure; the second number is the diastolic pressure. Blood pressure is measured at two points in the heart’s rhythm. A soft inflatable cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated. Systolic pressure is measured when the pressure from the cuff causes the pulse in the lower arm to stop. The second number is a blood pressure reading the diastolic pressure, which is determined when the cuff is deflated and the blood is flows freely once again.

Possible Causes of High Blood Pressure / Hypertension
High blood pressure is divided into two categories:

Primary Hypertension is high blood pressure that is not due to an underlying health problem.
Secondary Hypertension is when high blood pressure is a direct result of medications or an underlying health problem.

In many cases, a doctor may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause of high blood pressure, but there are some factors that are known to increase blood pressure, including obesity, heredity, diet, water retention, alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of physical activity, stress and excessive stimulant use. The incidence of high blood pressure is higher in blacks and the elderly. Other common causes of high blood pressure include atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, kidney malfunction, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and adrenal tumors.

Possible Symptoms and Complications of High Blood Pressure / Hypertension
Hypertension is known as the "silent killer" because in many cases there are no symptoms until serious complications develop. People with very high blood pressure can experience pulsating headaches (especially in the morning), visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting. Untreated high blood pressure can damage heart, kidneys and eyes leading to angina, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, stroke and abnormal heart beat.


Complications of high blood pressure include: