High Blood Pressure - 65,000,000 Americans Have It!
Filed Under: Family
INTRODUCTION: High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. It does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure.
Hypertension rarely has any symptoms, but it can create serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.
It forces the heart to work much harder and can damage the arteries, causing them to narrow faster. It can also harm many parts of the body and is a major health problem in the US affecting 1/3 of Americans or 65 million persons, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
HYPERTENSION: Most commonly referred to as “high blood pressure”, HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated and is considered to be present when a person’s systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or greater.
It can be classified as either essential (primary) or secondary and is one of the most common complex disorders, with genetic implication averaging 30%. Hypertension can be a temporary or lifelong disease, depending on the cause and is dangerous because it causes the heart to work extra hard.
Pre-hypertension is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the high number, or between 80 and 89 for the low number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the pre-hypertension area. If your blood pressure is in the pre-hypertension area, it is more likely that you will develop high blood pressure unless you take preventative action. If you have this kind of hypertension, it may not be necessary to take medication.
HEART: Some people may not find out they have high blood pressure until they have problems with their heart, brain, or kidneys. If it is not found and treated, it can cause the heart to grow larger, which can lead to heart failure. With high blood pressure, the heart works much harder, your arteries take a beating, and your odds of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are increased.
If you don’t have hypertension by age 55, you have a 90 % chance of developing it at some point during your life, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. If left untreated, 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 two-thirds of people having first-time strokes suffer from hypertension.
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TREATMENT: Treatment is focused on reducing water retention and lowering blood pressure to normal limits. When you first start treatment, your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly. Your doctor will review the information with you and decide if your treatment program is working or if you need to make changes to it.
Among the 61 percent who are under taking treatment, only 35 percent have their hypertension under adequate controlled. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your physician.
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.
High blood pressure rates are also rising among American children, alongside an epidemic of obesity. Hypertension in adults will usually be measured on at least two different doctor visits before a diagnosis is made. It can be treated with both lifestyle modifications, usually as the first step, and, if needed, with medications. Diuretics work in the kidney and 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.
