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submitted: Aug 23rd 2008 | by: RichardHEalom | Total views: 2 | Word Count: 669 | |

INTRODUCTION: High blood pressure also known as hypertension means abnormally high pressure (tension) in your arteries. It does not mean excessive tension caused by emotions, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily raise blood pressure.

Hypertension rarely has any symptoms, but it can create serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.

It makes the heart work much harder and can impair the arteries, causing them to narrow faster. It can also damage many parts of the body and is a major health problem in the USA affecting one out of every three Americans or 65,000,000 people, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

HYPERTENSION: Frequently referred to as "high blood pressure", HTN or HPN, is a medical condition that is caused by the blood pressure being chronically elevated and is considered to be present when a person's systolic blood pressure is continously 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or higher.

It can be categorized as either essential (primary) or secondary and is one of the most frequent occuring complex disorders, with genetic implication averaging 30 percent. Hypertension can be a short term or lifelong disease, depending on the cause and is dangerous because it forces the heart to work extra hard.

Pre-hypertension is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the higher number, or between 80 and 89 for the lower number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the pre-hypertension category. If your blood pressure is in the pre-hypertension category, it is more likely that you will eventually have hypertension unless you take action to prevent it. If you have this kind of high blood pressure, you may not have to take medication.

HEART: Some people may not find out they have hypertension until there is trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When it is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause the heart to become larger, which might lead to heart failure. With hypertension, the heart works harder than usual, your arteries take a beating, and the possibilities of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.

If you don't have high blood pressure by age 55, you have a 90 percent chance 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 can occur. About half of people having first-time heart attacks and two-thirds of people having first-time strokes suffer from high blood pressure.

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TREATMENT: Treatment is focused on reducing water retention and lowering blood pressure to normal limits. When you first begin treatment, your doctor may need you to come to the office regularly. Your doctor will go over the information with you and decide if your treatment program is succeeding or if you need to make changes to it.

Among the 61 percent who are under going treatment, only 35% have their blood pressure adequately controlled. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, see your doctor.

CONCLUSION: Hypertension is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms and is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease and stroke. HBP is not evenly distributed throughout the population and occurs disproportionately more often in minority communities.

Hypertension rates are also rising among American children, along with an epidemic of obesity. High blood pressure in adults will usually be measured on at least 2 different doctor visits before a diagnosis is made. It can be treated with both lifestyle changes, normally the first step, and, if needed, with drugs. Diuretics work in the kidney to flush excess water and sodium from the body.

Nearly 1/3 American adults have high blood pressure. Once It develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. Fortunately, it can be easily diagnosed, and once you are aware you have it, you can work with your doctor to control it.

About the Author

About the author: Richard H. Ealom written more than 60 articles on diseases,causes,cures. For more on High Blood Pressure visit Cure Your High blood Pressure! You have permission to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged

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