HYPERTENSION
DEFINITION:
High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
SYMPTHONS:
Most
people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood
pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.A few people with high blood
pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs
and symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure
has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.CAUSES:
Some people have high blood pressure caused by an underlying condition. This type of high blood pressure, called secondary hypertension, tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension. Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension, including:Obstructive sleep apnea,Kidney problems,Adrenal gland tumors,Thyroid problems, Certain defects in blood vessels you're born with (congenital),Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs,Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines,Alcohol abuse or chronic alcohol use.
RISK
FACTOR:
High
blood pressure has many risk factors, including:
a) Age- The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age.
b) Race- High blood pressure is particularly common among blacks, often developing at an earlier age than it does in whites.
c) Being
overweight or obese- The more you weigh the more blood you need to supply oxygen
and nutrients to your tissues. As the volume of blood circulated through your
blood vessels increases, so does the pressure on your artery walls.
d) Not
being physically active- People who are inactive tend to have higher heart
rates.
DIAGNOSIS :
To
measure your blood pressure, your doctor or a specialist will usually place an
inflatable arm cuff around your arm and measure your blood pressure using a
pressure-measuring gauge.A blood pressure reading, given in millimeters of
mercury (mm Hg), has two numbers. An important way to check if your blood
pressure treatment is working, or to diagnose worsening high blood pressure, is
to monitor your blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure monitors are widely
available and inexpensive, and you don't need a prescription to buy one. Talk
to your doctor about how to get started. Home blood pressure monitoring isn't a
substitute for visits to your doctor, and home blood pressure monitors may have
some limitations.
TREATMENT:
If
you're age 60 or older, and use of medications produces lower systolic blood
pressure (such as less than 140 mm Hg), your medications won't need to be
changed unless they cause negative effects to your health or quality of
life.Also, people older than 60 commonly have isolated systolic hypertension — when
diastolic pressure is normal but systolic pressure is high. The category of
medication your doctor prescribes depends on your blood pressure measurements
and your other medical problems.In addition to diet and exercise, your doctor
may recommend medication to lower your blood pressure.Your blood pressure
treatment goal depends on how healthy you are.
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