HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

  High blood pressure also called hypertension is a common condition, it is defined as a tension (pressure) in the Arteries, which are the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The blood flow through the Arteries are higher than normal.
   It is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood out to the body (it puts an extra strain on the heart and blood vessels) and lead to hardening of the arteries,or stroke, kidney disease, and to the development of heart failure, it is closely linked to some forms of dementia.
   A blood pressure reading has two numbers. The systolic blood pressure (the top number) equals the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts. The diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes. The ranges are:

Normal: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80), blood pressure between 120-139 over 80-89 is called pre-hypertension.

Stage 1 high blood pressure : 140-159 over 90-99

Stage 2 high blood pressure : 160 and above over 100 and above

High blood pressure in people over age 60: 150 and above .

   You probably have high blood pressure (hypertension) if your blood pressure readings are consistently 140 over 90.
   High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms, so the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your measured. Occasionally people with very high blood pressure say they experience headaches. For the readings many things can affect the blood pressure during the day so the doctor will take a number of blood pressure readings to see that it stays high over time. The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known but several factors and conditions may play a role in its development, They include:
Too much salt in the diet
Not enough fruit and vegetables
Lack of physical activity
Being overweigh or obese
Too much alcohol consumption
Smoking
Stress
   You can help to lower your blood pressure and the risk of stroke and heart attack by making lifestyle changes.
   There are some factors that increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, which cannot be controlled. These include
1. Older age: As you get older, the effects of an unheabut severalyle can build up and your blood pressure can increase.
2. Family history of high blood pressure: You are at greater risk if other members of your family have, or have had, high blood pressure.
3. Ethnicity or race : Race also plays a role, people from African-Caribbean and South Asian communities are at greater risk than other people of high blood pressure.
   Other uncontrolled factors includes: sleep apnea, genetics and adrenal and thyroid disorders. Some people may have high blood pressure that is linked to another medical condition, such as kidney problems, for these people treating the medical problem may lower their blood pressure back to normal.
   People who are more likely to develop high blood pressure are:
People with family members with history of high blood pressure
Smokers
People who are overweight
People who are not active physically
People who drink alcohol excessively
Pregnant women
People who have sleep apnea
Women who take birth control pills
People over the age of 35
People who eat too many fatty foods or foods with too much salt.
   High blood pressure matters because untreated high blood pressure can damage and weaken your Arteries(it harden the arteries), cause eye damage or stroke and other complicated health issues.
  Good news! High blood pressure is manageable, so consult your doctor if you think you are at risk to receive an accurate diagnosis and learn to monitor your numbers so as to protect yourself from this "silent killer".