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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
What
is high blood pressure (also called hypertension)? Blood
pressure is the pressure of the blood against the walls of the artery. The
higher your blood pressure, the harder your heart must work to pump blood to the
rest of your body. Without proper treatment, high blood pressure can lead to
many cardiovascular problems, including dilated pumping chamber and valvular defects. There are two
measurements that determine your blood pressure:
A normal
adult blood pressure measurement is at or below 130 over 85. A reading above
140/90 is considered high, and consultation from your doctor is necessary. What
are the warning signs and symptoms of high blood pressure? In most cases,
high blood pressure does not cause any symptoms. Many people assume that it
is related to high levels of stress, tension, and nervousness, but the truth
is you can be a very relaxed, easy-going person and still have high blood
pressure. The only way
to know if you are hypertensive is to have your blood pressure checked by
your doctor. This should be done routinely. How
is high blood pressure detected? High blood
pressure is detected using a blood pressure monitoring device called a
sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure varies constantly; so, if your doctor
detects high blood pressure on one occasion, he or she will usually take
another couple of readings to ensure the measurement is accurate. You may be
asked by your doctor to purchase a home B/P monitoring device. What
are the treatment options for high blood pressure? Your doctor
will discuss with you a variety of ways to control and/or lower your blood
pressure. As with all
cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle changes are sensible, effective ways
to reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. To reduce blood
pressure in particular, it is essential to:
For more
information about how to change your lifestyle, click here and learn more
about prevention of cardiovascular disease. In some
cases, lifestyle changes will not achieve the required results. In this
situation, your doctor may discuss medications and/or procedures that can
help to reduce your blood pressure. Medications
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