An Introduction to High Blood Pressure

Defining the Problem and Explaining the Consequences of Hypertension

May 31, 2009 A.C. Leach

High blood pressure is called the silent killer because many of its victims sustain tremendous damage before knowing they have the disease.

Learning that one has heart disease or kidney failure is difficult. Unfortunately these illnesses, among others, are often caused by years of uncontrolled high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). Avoid the complications of HBP and preserve years of healthy, productive living by striving to control blood pressure today.

For those with HBP, it is important to keep it under control. For those who do not have HBP, it is important to prevent it. For those who do not know if they have HBP, it is important to find out.

What Is High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the driving force required to push blood through the body. It can be measured by placing a blood pressure cuff around the arm. The cuff squeezes and takes measurements either electronically or manually with the aid of a stethoscope.

Two numbers are read (for example, 120/60). The blood pressure reading is too high if the top number is more than 140 or the bottom number is more than 90. Blood pressure readings that are consistently high are likely due to HBP.

Those who have blood pressure readings that are close to but not quite high enough to be considered abnormal should take action immediately to lower their pressures and avoid the eventual development of HBP.

Why High Blood Pressure Is a Problem

HBP has few, if any, symptoms initially. That is why someone may have it for years and not know it. The unsuspecting victim of HBP can sustain serious internal damage and not know it until it is too late.

Another problem with prolonged HBP is that the body has to adjust to an abnormal state. These adjustments can cause disease throughout the body.

For example, the heart must work harder and harder to pump blood against high pressures. This can lead to heart disease over time. Once the blood pressure returns to normal, the heart works less to pump blood throughout the body.

In addition, the kidneys are affected by and can fail due to HBP. In the case of kidney failure, dialysis machines or kidney transplants are needed to do the work of the kidneys. Dialysis and transplantation both require a significant change in lifestyle.

Furthermore, HBP increases the risk of having a stroke. A stroke occurs when the brain does not receive the blood flow and oxygen that it needs. When the brain is injured, symptoms such as facial droop, weakness or paralysis of the limbs, difficulty speaking, and vision problems are possible.

Problems with the heart, brain, kidney, and other systems of the body can lead to severe disability and death. So, prevention is a worthy pursuit. Read the following article to learn about controlling HBP:

Control Blood Pressure with Diet and Exercise

The copyright of the article An Introduction to High Blood Pressure in General Medicine is owned by A.C. Leach. Permission to republish An Introduction to High Blood Pressure in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Blood Pressure Cuff

What do you think about this article?

---

NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.

post your comment

What is 2+10?

Comments

Aug 10, 2009 10:41 PM

Guest :

Hello. I think that stress could be a major factor in high blood pressure. All you can do is maintain your good health and a good diet. Hope this could help. Thanks and have a nice day. :)

<a href="http://www.signofhighbloodpressure.info/">signofhighbloo dpressure.info</a>

1 Comment: