High Blood Pressure – At Least 65,000,000 Americans Have It!

Introduction

High blood pressure aka hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. It does not refer to excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily elevate blood pressure. Hypertension usually has no signs or symptoms, but it may cause serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. It makes the heart to work much harder and can harm the arteries, causing them to narrow much faster. It can also damage many parts of the body and is a major health concern in the US affecting one out of every three Americans, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Hypertension

Hypertension, most commonly referred to as “high blood pressure”, HTN or HPN, is a medical problem in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated and is considered to be present when a patient’s systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or more, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is routinely 90 mmHg or more. It can be designated as either primary or secondary and is one of the most common complex disorders, with genetic implications averaging 30 percent.

Hypertension can be a temporary or lifelong problem, depending on the cause and is dangerous because it makes the heart work extra hard. 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 develop hypertension unless you take action to prevent it. If you have this type of hypertension, you may not have to take drugs.

Heart

Some person’s may not know they have HBP until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When it is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause the heart to increase in size, which may cause heart failure. With HBP, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are larger. If you don’t have hypertension by age fifty five, you have a 90 percent chance of developing it at some time in your life, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Unattended, it will cause the heart to eventually overwork itself to the point at which serious damage can happen. About 1/2 of people having first-time heart attacks and 2/3 of people having first-time strokes suffer from HBP.

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Treatment

Treatment is focused on reducing water retention and reducing HBP to normal limits. When you first begin treatment, your doctor may ask you to come to the office regularly. Your doctor will go over the information with you and decide if your treatment program is working or if you need to alter it. Among the 61% who are under treatment, only 35% have their blood tension sufficiently under controlled. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

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.

R. Henri is the owner of Natural Remedies,Treatments And Cures,a website containing a wealth of information concerning caring for your health containingout relying on drugs and unneeded operations. Subscribing to his monthly newsletter @ Natural Remedies Treatments Cures