What is hypertension?

Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure is elevated, typically measured by two different numbers on a medical chart. The first number represents the systolic pressure-the highest point of your blood pressure when your heart beats and pushes out blood to all parts of the body. The second number represents the diastolic pressure-the lowest point in between each heartbeat. When this reading goes higher than 140/90 mm Hg (millimetres of mercury) for adults or 120/80 mm Hg for children, it is known as hypertension.

What is the Main Cause of Hypertension?

The main cause of hypertension is unknown. Some scientists believe that it results from genetics, while others think the cause could be environmental factors or a combination of both.

What are the Symptoms of Hypertension?

The symptoms of hypertension vary from person to person. Some people might not have any symptoms, while others may feel nauseous or have a headache.

Stages of Hypertension

There are six stages of hypertension.
•    Prehypertension refers to average systolic or diastolic blood pressures that are elevated beyond normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as hypertension.
•    Hypertension stage I is when the blood pressure reading falls between 140/90 and 159/99.
•    Hypertension stage II, when the blood pressure reading falls between 160/100 and 179/109.
•    Hypertension stage III, when the blood pressure reading falls between 180/110 and 209/119.
•    Stage IV hypertension is considered severe hypertension.
•    Stage V hypertension is considered end-stage or malignant hypertension, leading to retinopathy, nephropathy, and heart failure.
   

How Is Hypertension Treated?

There are many different ways to treat high blood pressure, depending on the severity of it. Some people may only need to make some lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier or exercising more. Other people may need to take medications, such as beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors.

Danger Signs of Hypertension

If your blood pressure is too high, your doctor may prescribe medication to lower it. However, there are other things you can do before getting your blood pressure checked that could help reduce the risk and potential damage. Here are some danger signs that your blood pressure is too high:
•    Headaches and migraines without a known cause
•    Nosebleeds without a known cause
•    Chest Pain
•    Increased anxiety and nervous behavior
•    Irregular Heart rate

Each of these symptoms can be caused by several things, but if you experience any of them, it is best to see your doctor.

Is there a Cure for Hypertension?

Is there a "cure" for hypertension, or better yet, is it curable? Unfortunately, the answer to both questions is no. However, treatment options are so effective these days that you can effectively manage your blood pressure levels and completely prevent potential complications. That being said, lifestyle changes are still an important part of treatment, especially when maintaining a healthy weight.

Hypertension is the most common condition in America today. It affects more than 76 million Americans and costs our country $46 billion annually; almost one-third of total U.S healthcare dollars are spent on managing this chronic disease! While there isn't much we can do about the environmental and genetic factors that make someone more likely to develop hypertension; we CAN take steps in our day-to-day lives to reduce these numbers.

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