High Blood Pressure

What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted on the walls of the artery, which carry blood from the heart to all of the tissues and organs of the body. Pressure while the heart beats is called systolic pressure, and pressure while the heart is at rest is known as diastolic pressure.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. Higher blood pressure increases the risk of getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, as well as for having a stroke.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

In the vast majority of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown. Many people have high blood pressure without knowing it. For some, high blood pressure is caused by abnormalities in the kidneys, larger-than-normal blood vessels leaving the heart, and narrow arteries. Additionally, studies have found that those who ingest more excessive amounts of salt (greater than 5.8 grams daily) have had higher incidents of hypertension. Furthermore, certain groups tend to have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, especially African-Americans, smokers, the obese and people who have one or more parents with a history of hypertension.

Symptoms

High blood pressure is often referred to as a “silent killer” because it can go unnoticed for years and even decades. However, there are a few signs to watch out for, including:

• Headache
• Shortness of Breath
• Blurred Vision
• Dizziness

If any of these symptoms persist contact a doctor immediately. Frequent blood pressure screenings can help to detect problems before stroke, heart attack and/or organ damage can occur.

Treating high blood pressure can usually be done with little or no complications by taking prescription drugs in combination with a modification in lifestyle.

Lifestyle Changes

• Quitting smoking
• Regular exercise
• Weight loss
• Reducing alcohol intake
• Diet
• Avoiding stressful situations
  

Drug Treatment

• ACE inhibitors - Stop the production of a hormone called angiotensin II that makes the blood vessels narrow.
• Angiotensin-II - Receptor antagonists work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors. But instead of stopping the production of angiotensin II, they block its action.
• Beta-Blockers - These relax the heart so it beats more slowly, thereby lowering the blood pressure
• Alpha-Blockers - Cause the blood vessels to relax and widen
• Calcium-channel blockers - Reduce muscle tension in the arteries, expanding them and creating more room for the blood to flow
• Diuretics - Help the body get rid of excess salt and fluids via the kidneys.