HYPERTENSION


What is blood pressure?
As the term itself indicates it is the lateral pressure created by blood on the vessel wall, while flowing through it.

What is the normal range?
The normal range of blood pressure is 110/70 to 130/90 mmHg
Systolic blood pressure is the greater count which is measured when the heart pumps blood.
Diastolic is the pressure measured when the heart ventricles relax.

What is hypertension?
Hypertension is elevated blood pressure i.e. above 130/85, but treatment would be required only at or above 140/90 mmHg

Diastolic pressure has greater significance as compared to systolic pressure since that is the minimum pressure the arteries would have to bear.

Blood pressure increases due to a variety of factors, like obesity, stress, excessive sodium intake but the most important is due to hardening of arteries with age, so for individuals above 40 blood pressure observed is usually higher. As there is a natural tendency for blood pressure to rise with age due to the reduced elasticity of the arterial system.

Though most of the doctors would assume 130/90 or even 140/90 mm Hg normal at an age of 40 or more ,all efforts should be taken to bring it down.

Symptoms
Usually hypertension is a symptomatic and is usually detected only when the patient complains of headache palpitation, dizziness, heaviness above the eyes, excessive perspiration, migraine etc. these are the stages when actually some damage has already been done.

CAUSES
How is hypertension classified?
In 90%of people with high blood pressure, the cause is unknown. This is called 'primary' or 'essential hypertension'.
In the remaining 10 per cent or so, there is an underlying cause. This is called 'secondary hypertension'. Some of the main causes for secondary hypertension are:

Chronic kidney diseases
Diseases in the arteries supplying the kidneys
Chronic alcohol abuse
Hormonal disturbances
Endocrine tumours

Blood pressure depends on a combination of two factors:

How forcefully the heart pumps blood around the body.
How narrowed or relaxed your arteries are.

UNTREATED
What happens if blood pressure is left untreated?
If untreated for a few years due to high blood pressure the following SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS might be observed.
Congestive heart failure
Stroke
Renal problems
Retinopathy
Cardiovascular disorders
Atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries)
Apart from this the patient becomes restless and becomes angry at the slightest provocation

DOS & DONTS
Things one should avoid to avoid hypertension

Anyone can suffer from high blood pressure, but certain factors like the ones given below can seriously aggravate hypertension and increase the risk of complications:

A tendency in the family to suffer hypertension
Obesity
Smoking
Diabetes Type 1 or Type 2
Kidney diseases
High alcohol intake
Excessive salt intake
Lack of exercise
Certain medicines, such as steroids

What should I do?
Change your lifestyle
Stop smoking
Lose weight
Exercise regularly
Cut down on alcohol
Eat a varied diet
Reduce stress by trying different relaxation techniques, or by avoiding stressful situations.

Regular medication is also important

Have sufficient sleep, it has also been observed that People who sleep for only short durations raise their average 24-hour blood pressure and heart rate.