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What is Hypertension? |
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Symptoms
Blood pressure is measured by comparing the amount of blood which goes through the system with the arteries’ resistance to it. Greater amounts of pumped blood and constricted arteries both mean higher blood pressure. The condition usually develops without hint or indication, but can affect almost anyone. Some people experience dull headaches, fainting spells, or an increased tendency for nosebleeding as an early-phase indication of high blood pressure, but more often than not, these are signs that the condition has advanced to a potentially life-threatening stage. People who have yet to acquire high blood pressure at middle age have a ninety percent risk of developing it afterwards.
Causes
A high ninety to ninety-five percent of all cases of blood pressure have no known and identifiable cause. These are usually referred to as essential or primary hypertension, and have an acute tendency to progressively develop over a person’s early life. The remaining percentage is usually brought upon by a preexisting condition. Secondary hypertension appears to develop abruptly, causing higher levels of blood pressure than the first type. Numerous conditions can cause secondary hypertension; it can be a kidney abnormality, a genetic heart dysfunction, or a tumor on the adrenaline gland. The intake of OTC and prescription drugs may also cause secondary hypertension, including contraceptive pills, painkillers, nasal decongestants; illicit drugs like cocaine and amphetamines also increase blood pressure if taken in excessive amounts.
Diagnosis
The body’s blood pressure is essentially measured with a pump-equipped arm band which is attached to a pressure-indicating gauge. The measurements include two numbers, providing a reading which is measured in millimeters of mercury (or mmHg). The first determines the pressure which the blood exerts on the arteries with every heartbeat, called systolic pressure, and the second determines the same pressure, but in between heartbeats, called diastolic pressure. A normal blood pressure is any measurement which is under 120/80 mmHg; anything higher than this may mean prehypertension (139/89 mmHg), stage one hypertension (159/99 mmHg), or stage two hypertension (160/100 mmHg and above). Since the body’s blood pressure varies throughout the day, multiple readings are necessary, and should be performed at regular intervals. Patients who bear any type of the condition may undergo urine and blood tests or an ECG exam to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Info
Treating hypertension prevents the development of further conditions, most of which can be life-threatening. Treatment may also involve measures to control contributing conditions to hypertension, like high cholesterol levels and diabetes. A change in lifestyle is probably the first step in dealing with hypertension. If the condition is progressive and this proves to be insufficient, the doctor may prescribe medications as a supplement to proper diet and exercise. Drugs for hypertension are classified into numerous categories, including thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and rennin inhibitors. If the patient bears other conditions besides hypertension, the doctor may also consider the medications for these, as well as any food or dietary supplements which can potentially interfere with the potency of hypertension drugs, or those which can increase the blood pressure even further.
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