High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure (HBP) or Hypertension is a condition in which the force of the blood against the arterial walls is at an abnormally high level. It is a serious condition and considered to be one of the leading causes of Aneurysm formation and rupture. It can also lead to the development of Heart disease and failure, stroke, and kidney failure. In the United States, some sources indicate that as many as 1 in 3 people have High Blood Pressure.
In addition to Aneurysm and Stroke, complications of High Blood Pressure include
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Loose weight
- Diabetes
- Retinopathy (eye disease)
- Erectile Dysfunction
Your blood pressured is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and commonly given, or written, as two numbers-XX/XX.
The top, or first number, is known as the Systolic pressure and it represents the pressure when your heart beats. The bottom, or second number, is known as the Diastolic pressure and it represents the pressure when your hearts is at rest, or between beats.
Your pressure is considered high if the Systolic, top number, is consistently over 140 or if the Diastolic, bottom number, is consistently over 90. One or both of these numbers may be too high.
Pre-Hypertension is a condition when the Systolic, top number, is consistently between 120-139 and/or the Diastolic, bottom number, is consistently between 80-89. Person’s suffering Pre-Hypertension have an increased likelihood of developing High Blood Pressure.
A blood pressure reading of 120/80 or less is considered normal for an adult. Persons with certain diseases or disorders may have higher numbers and the numbers for children and teens will differ as well.
- Stage 1 High Blood Pressure
- Is consistent Systolic blood pressure readings of 140-159 or Diastolic pressure readings of 90-99.
- Stage 2 High Blood Pressure
- Is consistent Systolic blood pressure readings of 160 or higher, or Diastolic pressure readings of 100 or higher.
- Hereditary Predisposition
- High blood pressure appears to run in some families.
- Age/Race/Gender
- As we age our blood pressure tends to rise. Sources indicate that in the United States blacks are twice as likely as whites to suffer from high blood pressure. Around 44 years of age this gap begins to narrow but, after age 65, black women have the highest rates of high blood pressure. Overall, men are more likely than women to suffer from high blood pressure.
- Diet
- There is evidence that diet, particularly salt and fatty foods, can strongly influence blood pressure.
- Obesity
- Persons who are overweight or obese tend to have higher incidents of high blood pressure.
- Stress
- Stress in our lives has been linked to high blood pressure and hypertension.
- Lack of Physical Activity
- Persons who are physically active and exercise regularly have lower incidents of high blood pressure.
- Insufficient Dietary Components
- Insufficient amounts of calcium, potassium, and magnesium has been linked to high blood pressure.
- Diabetes
- Persons who suffer from Diabetes have an increased risk of high blood pressure.
- Alcohol or Drug Abuse
- Persons who abuse drugs and alcohol have an increased risk of high blood pressure.
- Stop smoking
- Regular physical exercise
- Eat a healthy diet
- Loose weight
- Beta blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Alpha blockers
- Alpha-beta blockers
Causes of High Blood Pressure
In most cases, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown. This is known as Essential Hypertension and it is reported to account for up to 95% of the cases of High Blood Pressure in the United States. While the underlying cause may not be know, Essential Hypertension has been linked to several risk factors, both genetic and behavioral. There include
The 5% of cases where the cause of high blood pressure is known is called Secondary Hypertension. There are several known causes of secondary hypertension. Among these are kidney disease, tumors, and disorders or abnormalities of the adrenal glands, and pregnancy. The use of birth control pills (particularly those containing estrogen) can cause increased blood pressure.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually exhibits no symptoms, which makes it particularly dangerous. It will occasionally produce headaches in some individuals but this is rare, thus everyone should monitor their blood pressure and have regular exams by their physician.
Your doctor makes a diagnosis of high blood pressure using a standard blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope. Electronic blood pressure testing devices are also commonly used. The test is completely painless and easy. You do not need to do any special preparation for the test other than not smoking or drinking caffeine for 30 minutes prior to the test as these may cause a short-term increase in blood pressure.
Treatment of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be treated using a combination of medication and lifestyle changes and, as a rule, treatment must be continued for life.
Lifestyle changes include
There are a variety of medications your physician can use to treat HBP. Medications used vary from person to person and it is common to be prescribed more than one medication
A few of the common medications used are