Hypertension, most commonly referred to as "high blood pressure", HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated. It was previously referred to as arterial hypertension, but in current usage, the word "hypertension" without a qualifier normally refers to arterial hypertension.
2008-03-15

High Blood Pressure - The Silent Heart Killer

0 comments

"High blood pressure is a silent killer." American Heart Association

According to recent estimates, nearly 65 million American adults, almost 1-and 3-have high blood pressure. It is more common and often more serious than African-Americans in Cuacasions. High blood pressure is widespread and in other parts of the world - silent killer affects nearly one billion people worldwide. And its prevalence is rising.

Blood expressed as systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolischen pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats, while diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart at rest. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80. Pre-hypertension, the blood pressure 120-129/80-89 mm Hg blood pressure is high, when it graer or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or graer than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. Doctors classify high blood pressure in two phases: Phase I and Phase II 140-159/90-99 is 160/100 or higher. Blood pressure readings to be taken. Ideally, you should rest for 5 minutes, and should not have to drink coffee or smoke cigarettes for 30 minutes before the measurement. A full bladder can also affect numbers.

The cause of high blood pressure is not known, about 90-95 percent of the cases, and this is labeled as essential hypertension. In the remaining 5-10 percent, the blood pressure increases due to a kidney disease or structural abnormality of the aorta or certain arteries. Oral contraceptives can also contribute to the development of high blood pressure. This latter category is called secondary hypertension. However, we know that certain risk factors that increase risk for the development of hypertension. This includes modifiable risk factors such as obesity, high salt intake, ebermaiger alcohol consumption, lack of physical exercise and stress. The non-modifiable risk factors include African American race, age and progressive heredity.

High blood pressure is dangerous, and often sneaks, without showing any symptoms. It contributes to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, heart failure, erectile dysfunction and atherosclerosis. It can also cause blindness. The risk of heart disease and stroke doubles for every 20 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure, or for each 10 mm Hg increase in diastolic blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the more graer is the risk of complications. This has been repeatedly confirmed by the Framingham study, which started in 1948 and has monitored several thousand people for high blood pressure and cardiovascular events. Recent data indicates that the risk of cardiovascular complications are also in people with elevated 'prehypertension'. The research shows that about 23 million adults in the United States with high-normal blood pressure readings (systolic pressure of 130-139 mm Hg and /or diastolic pressure of 85-89 mm Hg) are 1.5 to 2.5 times more often a heart - circulation - event or to die within 10 years, compared to those with optimal blood pressure (systolic pressure of less than 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg) .

hundreds of clinical studies have shown the beneficial effects of a reduction blood pressure to an acceptable level. This performance has been repeatedly confirmed in all ethnic groups, in all age groups and in both men and women. Lowering of blood pressure to ideal levels reduces the incidence of stroke by about 40%, heart attack by 25%, heart failure by more than 50%,

"Who cures a disease, the skillfullest, but he prevented that it is the safest doctor. "Thomas Fuller. Non-drug modification of lifestyle can not only reduce elevated blood pressure, but can also prevent or delay the onset of the disease. These include reducing weight on a BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg /m 2, the adoption of a diet that is rich in fruit, grain, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, reducing sodium intake of food to less than 6 g of sodium chloride per day engaged regelmaige and physical activities such as brisk walking for 30 minutes most days of the week, and limiting alcohol consumption to no more than 2 drinks (0.5 oz or 15 mL of ethanol, such as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1, 5 ounces 80-proof whiskey) a day for men and no more than 1 drink per day for women. Combined, these changes in lifestyle habits can reduce systolic blood pressure by almost 50 mm Hg.

Pharmacologic treatment is required if your first blood pressure is very high, if you complications, or if you do not respond to changes in lifestyle habits. The common teaching of drugs to treat high blood pressure are diuretics are also known as water pills. They work by helping your kidneys remove excess water and salt from the body. Beta-blockers help your heart beat more slowly and with less force. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the production of a hormone called angiotensin II, which usually attracts your arteries and raises blood pressure. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) protect your Blutgefae of angiotensin-II. The Blutgefae relax and become more broadly, the lowering of blood pressure. Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) relaxation of Blutgefae prevents calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and Blutgefae. Alpha-blockers also relax the Blutgefae by reducing nerve impulses that Blutgefae together. Alpha-Beta-blockers, in addition to the reduction of nerve impulses to Blutgefaen also slow heart beat, as beta-blockers. Nervous system inhibitors relax Blutgefae by constricting control nerve impulses from the brain. Direct vasodilators relax the muscles and the ship walls.

In 2003 of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Doctors use as a guideline for the treatment of high blood pressure. The first choice is usually a diuretic. Other drugs are for a further reduction, if necessary. If the first readings are high, or if it is convincing other risk factors, combination drugs can be used as the first choice. Most people need more than one class of drugs to adequately control their blood pressure.

"variability is the law of life, and since no two faces are the same, so no two are the same, and no two individuals are equally respond and behave the same under the abnormal conditions, we know how disease. "William Osler (1849 - 1919). You can rely on an entirely different combination of pills lower blood pressure as compared to someone you know. Your doctor is the best judge of the combination treatment which is the best for you. Adoption of changes in lifestyle habits, take your medications and monitor your blood pressure regularly, and you are the silent killer that your life prematurely.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD

What next?

You can also bookmark this post using your favorite bookmarking service:

Related Posts by Categories