What is Hypertension?

The American Heart Association (AHA) defines hypertension as blood pressure measurements of 140 over 90 or higher. Any readings with levels below 120 over 80 are considered healthy and acceptable. The table below illustrates what category the person is in depending on his blood pressure readings:

What does the number mean?
The two numbers correlate to the pressure of the heart when it beats and contract and the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. The top number is called the systolic pressure; this is when the heart contracts (like when you squeeze a balloon filled with water). The diastolic pressure or the second number is when the heart relaxes (or when you fill the balloon again with water). The unit of measurement used in measuring blood pressure is millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

What does hypertension do to the body?
When the heart beats, it creates pressure which pushes blood through the blood vessels. These vessels are elastic tissues which are flexible allowing them to stretch under pressure for blood to flow properly throughout the body.

With hypertension, the pressure created by the beating heart is too high that it causes these blood vessels to overstretch. This can lead to the vessels rupturing, tearing and scarring. These scars can cause blockages which inhibit the passing of blood causing blood clots which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Imagine again a balloon filled with water. If the filled balloon is pricked with a pin, water comes out of the pinhole. If one increases the pressure by squeezing the balloon, the pin hole stretches. Constant stretching can tear the pinhole so that it becomes bigger or that the pressure is too much causing the balloon to even explode and collapse.

What causes hypertension?
High blood pressure is often hereditary. Persons who have a family history of high blood pressure is likely to be at risk of developing hypertension themselves.

Outside of hereditary reason, lifestyle also plays a big part in causing hypertension. Factors that may cause hypertension are:

• Obesity
• Heavy drinking
• Lack of exercise
• Poor dietary habits
• Too much salt intake

How can hypertension be detected?
To be diagnosed with hypertension, one must have a persistent high blood pressure. This is usually done by having the person undergo three (3) separate blood pressure measurements at least one (1) week apart. A physical examination is done including  a complete review history of the person’s medical history as well as the family’s medical history.

Once diagnosed with hypertension a patient is often immediately ask to undergo a lifestyle change that includes dietary changes, physical exercise, and weight loss program. These have been proven to significantly lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.

What are the risks of hypertension?
As mentioned, hypertension can cause tearing and scarring of the blood vessels. These scars can impede the passing of blood and can cause the blood to clot which can ultimately lead to a heart attack or a stroke. A stroke happens when there is a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.

Sometimes, a person may suffer a stroke without even knowing it. This is called a silent stroke. It does not have any outward detectable symptom. Despite this, it still causes damage to the brain and may cause a major stroke in the future

Tags

one-side negect online community online support pain patients psoriasis reading recovery rehab rehabilitation research returning home risk safety self-esteem sensory dysfunction sex silent stroke sleep apnea sleeping disorders smoking spasticity speech therapy stroke stroke exercise stroke help stroke in women stroke prevention stroke rehab stroke rehabilitation stroke risks stroke survivor stroke victims support symptoms therapy thrombosis TIA tips treatment vision weight training Women women stroke work

Follow Us