Hypertension

Hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure in the arteries, the vessels that carry blood from the heart to body organs and tissues.

According to a study done in 2006 by AHA (American Heart Association) hypertension killed 56,561 people in the United States.

So what is hypertension?

The Normal Blood Pressure is 120/80. The numerator is the systolic pressure which is the pressure in the arteries while the heart is contracting while the denominator is the diastolic pressure which is the pressure in the arteries while the heart relaxes.

Therefore a blood pressure of 140/90 is considered a high blood pressure.

This illustration provides the prevalence of high blood pressure in adults by age and sex.

Complications

A high blood pressure increases the risk of having other serious disease which include cardiac diseases, kidney failure, atherosclerosis and stroke.

Signs and Symptoms

Usually this disease is asymptomatic, that is why it is referred to as "the silent killer". However late signs can include:

• headache
• blurred vision
• shortness of breath
• dizziness

Treatment

Antihypertensive agents are used to lower the blood pressure. These include ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta blockers.

Along with this, a low salt diet is very essential as well as a healthy life style that includes exercise.

Citation:

Antikainen , Riitta. (1998). Systolic blood pressure, isolated systolic hypertension and risk of coronary heart disease, strokes, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in the middle-aged population. Journal of Hypertension, 16(5), Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/Abstract/1998/16050/Systolic_blood_pressure,_isolated_systolic.4.aspx

Chart Prevalence of High Blood Pressure. Retrieved June 30,2010 from: http://www.speedyceus.com/m/tm_images/Chart_Prevalence_of_High_Blood_Pressure.jpg

ADAM. (2009). Retrieved June 30,2010 from: http://nursingcrib.com/wp-content/uploads/hypertension.jpg