High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is elevated pressure of the blood in the arteries. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury mm Hg
The first number indicates systolic blood pressure. The second number is diastolic blood pressure. People with high blood pressure should be screened for diabetes. In addition to other benefits, home monitoring can help show if blood pressure medications are working.
Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. Although the body can tolerate increased blood pressure for months and even years, eventually the heart may enlarge a condition called hypertrophy , which is a major factor in heart failure.
Two numbers are used to describe blood pressure: the systolic pressure the higher and first number and the diastolic pressure the lower and second number .
A third measurement, pulse pressure , may also be important as an indicator of severity. High systolic pressure is now known to be a greater risk factor than diastolic pressure for brain, heart, kidney, circulatory complications and for death, particularly in middle-aged and elderly adults.
High diastolic pressure is a strong predictor of heart attack and stroke in young adults. It indicates stiffness and inflammation in the blood-vessel walls. The causes of essential hypertension are unknown but are based on complex processes in all major organs and systems.
High blood pressure HBP is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease,heart failure,stroke,kidney failure, and other health problems.
The majority of all people with high blood pressure are “salt sensitive,”meaning that anything more than the minimal bodily need for salt is too much for them and increases their blood pressure treatment
If your blood pressure is too high, you need treatment to prevent damage to your body’s organs.
Even though there is much individual variation in blood pressure, physicians have established guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. African-Americans with High Blood Pressure Need Treatment Sooner,More Aggressively.
Treatment at this point should be based on diet, exercise, and weight loss,if necessary. An echocardiogram is needed when it would help the doctor decide whether to start treatment. Without treatment,this can lead to heart failure.
