What is Hypertension - And Can You Be At Risk For It?

Hypertension has been known as, "The silent killer

," because it has no recognizable signs in the early stages that can direct our attention to the danger. The physician's office takes blood pressure measurements so often because of this very reason, and also because the levels can change over brief periods of time due to various circumstances. 33% of all adults in the United States have this condition, and if left untreated it can lead to heart attack, stroke, and injury to important organs of the body. A person's age is an important factor, and the levels need to be monitored more closely as one gets older. That is largely because of the accumulated results of our lifestyle habits and diet that add to possible hereditary and genetic predispositions.

Blood Pressure readings are a combination of 2 numerical readings expressed as a ratio; systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. The systolic number is the pressure caused by the beating of the heart, whereas the diastolic reading is the pressure that exists between heart beats while the heart is momentarily at rest. The blood pressure ratio is expressed in fractional form, with the systolic reading on top and the diastolic reading on the bottom. A normal reading would consist of a systolic number less than 120 and a diastolic reading of lower than 80. A condition of pre-hypertension can exist if these numbers are between 1-9 points higher than 120/eighty (ie: 121/81 - 129/89). Stage 1 Hypertension is diagnosed when those levels are over 140/90, and Stage 2 Hypertension exists when the levels are over 160/100.

Hypertension is broken down into two broad categories; Essential Hypertension, and Secondary Hypertension. Essential Hypertension, also referred to as primary, or idiopathic hypertension, is a condition with no recognized cause and has no cure as of yet. Secondary HBP is when the elevated ranges are attributable to identified situations such as heart, kidney, circulatory and endocrine system problems, or pregnancies.

There are some common misconceptions about what hypertension is also. For years, the primary focus was on the diastolic reading, with the reasoning that it was more indicative of potential health threats. If levels were excessive even when the heart was at rest, then it seemed logical to assume that there was higher cause for concern than if the levels have been excessive during heart beats when the heart wasa working harder. Nevertheless in recent years it has been found that high systolic levels are not any less significant, particularly for older people. When systolic levels are higher than normal, the condition is known as "Isolated Systolic Hypertension," (ISH) and it is common among older people. Along with all of the health risks already associated with HBP, ISH is also associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease.

So, what is hypertension to you? Is it something you are potentially at risk for, and if so are you doing anything to avert the inevitable rocking of your world by this life altering disease? It is essential to find out where you stand when it comes to your risk factors and predispositions to this all too frequent health threat.

What is Hypertension - And Can You Be At Risk For It?

By: Paul Filinovich

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