Hypertension Overview

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood in the arteries. When the heart beats, blood propels in the arteries with force. This is called systolic blood pressure. When the heart relaxes after each beat, the force of the blood flow drops (called diastolic blood pressure). Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the chronic state of elevated pressure in the arteries.  Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day, but it can cause health problems if it stays high for a long time. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke—leading causes of death in the United States.

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Are you at risk?

One in three American adults has high blood pressure—that’s an estimated 67 million people. Anyone, including children, can develop it.

Risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase your chances of developing a disease.  When you have more  than one risk factor for heart disease, your risk of developing heart disease greatly multiplies. So if you have high blood pressure, you need to take action.
Fortunately, you can control most heart disease risk factors.
Risk factors you can control:
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol
•Tobacco use
• Diabetes
• Overweight
• Physical inactivity 

What are the signs and symptoms? 

High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, so many people don’t realize they have it. That’s why it’s important to visit your doctor regularly. Be sure to talk with your doctor about having your blood pressure checked.

What are the major complications of Hypertension? 

How is high blood pressure diagnosed? 

Your doctor measures your blood pressure by wrapping an inflatable cuff with a pressure gauge around your arm to squeeze the blood vessels. Then he or she listens to your pulse with a stethoscope while releasing air from the cuff. The gauge measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats (systolic) and when it rests (diastolic).

How is it treated?

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat it. Lifestyle changes, such as the ones listed above, can be just as important as taking medicines. Talk with your doctor about the best ways to reduce your risk for high blood pressure. 

What blood pressure levels are healthy? 

To determine whether your blood pressure is normal, your doctor examines your systolic and diastolic pressures, which the gauge measures in millimeters of mercury (abbreviated as mmHg).

Blood Pressure Levels

How to control your high blood pressure? 

10 Easy Steps

1. Reduce your extra weight, monitor your waistline
2. Regular Exercise
3. Healthy diet
4. Reduce Salt (Sodium) intake
5. Limit the amount of alcohol
6. Give up Smoking
7. Cut back on caffeine
8. Stress free life
9. Monitor your pressure,  get advise from Doctor
10. Enjoy the supportive family environment.