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Monday, 20 July 2009 15:26 |
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Hypertension is the technical term for high blood pressure, that is, blood pressure that is higher than normal.
Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats while bumping blood and when (systolic pressure) the heart is at rest between beats (diastolic pressure). Hypertension occurs when a blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140mm Hg systolic or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure.
High blood pressure is associated with the risk of heart disease that may lead to heart attack and stroke, especially if other risk factors are present.
High blood pressure can happen in children or adults, but the condition is more common among adults age over 35 years. It is a very common condition, affecting almost three million Australians over the age of 25.
High blood pressure may run in families, but many people with a strong family history of hypertension never have it. Many researchers suggest that people with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are more likely to have high blood pressure.
It's a silent condition in the sense that someone who has high blood pressure usually doesn't know about it. But it's a dangerous condition, because of the damage it causes over time. People with hypertension are more likely to develop a disease of the arteries called atherosclerosis, especially if they have other risk factors for atherosclerosis as well.
When Atherosclerosis becomes advanced, it can lead to damage to many organs in the body like the kidneys, heart, the retina (the light sensitive area at the back of the eye), and the arteries supplying limbs.
Hypertension is one of the Contributing causes of heart disease and stroke. It can also cause kidney failure, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and heart attack. So it's important to diagnose it early and treat it to avoid these conditions.
Because hypertension tends to increase with age, preventing of the condition can be done through lifestyle changes. People who have high blood pressure can take steps to control it and reduce their risks for related health problems. Key strategies include following a healthy lifestyle, having ongoing medical care, and following the treatment plan that was recommended by your doctor.
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Hypertension Overview
