HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

One in four U.S. adults have high blood pressure, also known as "hypertension", but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third have no idea that they have it. This is why it is often called the “silent killer”.

When high blood pressure is not controlled, it can lead to a heart attack, heart failure, stroke or kidney failure.

It usually occurs in men between the ages of 35 and 50, and in women after menopause. It is also more common in people of African American heritage than in Caucasians.

Cause

When the cause of high blood pressure is unknown, which occurs in almost all instances, it is called primary, or essential, hypertension.

In the instances when the cause is known, it is classified as secondary hypertension. Secondary hypertension can be caused by another medical condition such as narrowing of the arteries, an abnormality of the kidneys, or an abnormality of the aorta (the large blood vessel in the heart), which is present at birth.

When the arteries are wide open, your blood can flow freely, however, if they are narrowed, it is more difficult for the blood to flow through them and the pressure inside increases, which can cause high blood pressure. When this occurs, it puts a strain on the heart and the blood vessels can become damaged.

If the vessels that supply blood to other organs such as your brain or kidneys, they can also be affected.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for high blood pressure include:

• Family history of heart disease
• Smoking
• Use of birth control pills
• Diet containing high amounts of sodium
• Diet high in saturated fats
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Lack of exercise
• Being overweight
• Stress
• Have been diagnosed with Diabetes
• Age (your risk increases as you get older)

Symptoms

High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it has no symptoms. However, over time, if not diagnosed and treated, it can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, dizziness and blurred vision.

It can lead to an enlarged heart, which can cause heart failure, or formation of aneurysms (bulges) in the aortic artery of the heart or other arteries such as those in the brain and legs.

Other problems that can develop are kidney failure due to narrowing of the blood vessels, “hardening” of the arteries in the heart, kidneys, brain, and legs which can cause a heart attack, kidney failure, a stroke, the necessity for leg amputation, or bursting or bleeding of the blood vessels in the eyes which can result in vision changes or blindness.

Blood Pressure Readings/Ranges

The top number in a blood pressure reading is the systolic blood pressure, which indicates the maximum pressure within the blood vessels. The pressure is at its highest when the heart contracts and circulates blood through the body.

The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure, which indicates the lowest pressure in the in the vessels. The pressure is at its lowest when the heart is at rest between heartbeats.

The following are the most current blood pressure guidelines released by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI):

Normal blood pressure: Lower than 120/80

Pre-hypertension: 120-139/80-89

Stage 1 hypertension: 140-159/90-99

Stage 2 hypertension: 160 or higher/100 or higher

If the levels of systolic and diastolic readings fall into different categories, the higher category is used to classify the level. Therefore, a reading of 149/79 would be classified as Stage 1.

These guidelines are for adults 18 years of age and older who are not on medication for high blood pressure, do not have a short-term serious illness, and do not have other diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.

However, if you have diabetes and/or chronic kidney disease, a blood pressure reading of 130/80 or higher is considered as high blood pressure.

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on several factors such as how long you have had it, its severity, and if you have other diseases such as diabetes.

Summary

High blood pressure cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Having your blood pressure checked is painless, quick, and easy. By having it checked on a regular basis, you can detect high blood pressure early, get it under control, and avoid the possibility of a myriad of problems including heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, blindness and, possibly, death.