High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious medical condition that manifests no symptoms but acquiring the condition may lead to coronary heart failure, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other problems that pertain to ones health.
High blood pressure (HBP) or hypertension means a high pressure (tension) in the arteries. The arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to the other tissues and organs of the body.
The blood pressure numbers are written with the systolic number on top or before the diastolic, such as 120/80 mmHg. (The mmHg is millimeters of mercury—the units used to measure blood pressure.) A blood pressure that is normal is below 120/80; a blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension", and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is already considered high.
The top number obtained from a reading of blood pressure is the systolic blood pressure, it corresponds to the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries. The bottom number, is the diastolic pressure, this represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction. The diastolic pressure reflects the lowest pressure in which the arteries are exposed.
A rise in the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart (cardiac) disease, kidney (renal) disease, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis), eye damage, and stroke (brain damage). These complications brought about by hypertension are often referred to as end-organ damage because damage to these organs is the end result of chronic (long duration) high blood pressure. For that reason, the diagnosis of high blood pressure is extremely important so as efforts can be made to normalize blood pressure and prevent future complications.
Previously, it was thought that the rise in diastolic blood pressure was a more important risk factor than systolic elevations, but it has now been known that in people fifty years or older systolic hypertension gives a greater risk.
Those who have HBP should act and take necessary steps to control it and reduce their risks for related health problems that HBP brings. Key steps to be taken include following a healthy lifestyle, having ongoing medical care, and following the treatment plan that the doctor prescribes.
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