Hypertension | High Blood Pressure | Causes and Control of Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is the pathological condition of blood pressure. This is the state at which the pressure exerted by the blood along the walls of the arterial vessels is too high. It drives the heart to function harder and over stresses the blood vessels. There are two types of high blood pressure. Primary, or essential, and secondary…..One out of two adults over the age of 65 suffers from the condition.

Symptoms might be missing or they may include insomnia, headaches, blurry vision and breathlessness. The cause is generally unknown but elements that are linked with hypertension are obesity, heredity, tension, high salt intake in the diet and heavily use of caffeine and stimulant drugs. Additional causes that can lead to hypertension, called secondary hypertension are renal disorders and sleep apnea.

Blood pressure is expressed in two numerals the higher represents systolic pressure- the pressure in the arterial blood vessel when the heart actively pumps blood and the lower number the systolic pressure- the pressure in the blood vessel when the heart is relaxed. Optimal systolic pressure is 120mmHg (mm of mercury) and optimal diastolic is 80mmHg. A sustained systolic pressure of more than 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure more than 90mmHg is defined as high blood pressure.

Hypertension or high blood pressure should be assessed periodically because its development is easily missed due to lack of symptoms. The condition needs to be checked and treated with life-style alterations and/or drug therapy to prevent many health problems including heart and renal disorders, strokes, poor circulation in the lower extremities, sight problems, and even sudden death. The condition in general goes on to turn more critical even become resistive to treatment if it goes unchecked for long time.

Components linked with hypertension are several:

Blood pressure increases as a person ages, commonly attributable to plaque build up and loss of elasticity in the arterial vessels, leading in time in reduced ability of the kidneys to control blood volume.

Obesity, particularly in women, is frequently linked with hypertension. It is in reality regarded to be the number one life-style element associated with hypertension. Overweight people suffer from the condition six times more often than lean people and a loss of as little as 5 to 10 kilos of weight could assist to check hypertension.

Physical inactiveness is regarded to be the number two danger in developing hypertension. A daily half-hour five days a week physical activity and some weight lose could assist hypertension to get back to normal.

Alcohol in excess is accountable for around 10 percent of all cases of high blood pressure, most typically with middle-aged males. Sensible drinking, two or less drinks per day, is suggested if you suffer hypertension.

Intake of excess common salt in the diet inclines to increase blood pressure particularly with older people and those with problems regulating sodium concentration in the body. The American Heart Association advises, for adults, no more than 2400mg per day of sodium chloride.

New studies demonstrate that minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium are crucial in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. A particular diet (DASH diet) rich in these minerals and low in sodium could bring down blood pressure within days with effects akin to those generally seen with high blood pressure medicines.

Overall a diet low in fat and common salt and rich in whole cereals, fruit and vegetables could bring down blood pressure and the related dangers in a lot of people. The only additional thing required is for people to take action.

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The information, suggestions, and research described herein are intended to be purely educational. They are not intended to replace the services and advice of your physician. Read more….