subject: Hypertension Or High Blood Pressure [print this page] Hypertension or high blood pressure does not cause people to have a short temper as some people may think. Actually, hypertension does not have any symptoms. Studies indicate that about one in three American adults have hypertension, but because there are no symptoms, about one in three of these people are unaware of it. If it is left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, kidney damage or stroke. These reasons are why hypertension has been labeled as the silent killer. The only way to tell if you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Although intensive and costly research has been conducted on hypertension, determining the precise cause of hypertension has been elusive.
Doctors have been unable to determine the specific cause of hypertension in about 90 to 95 percent of all cases. This type of hypertension is labeled as primary or essential hypertension. Although the precise cause of primary hypertension has yet to be identified, researchers have been able to find common attributes in people with primary hypertension.
Studies indicate that primary hypertension only occurs to people with a daily intake of salt that exceeds 5.8 grams. Heredity and race were proven to be factors in 30 percent of the cases that were studied. People with a family history of hypertension were twice as likely to get it. And the number of cases of hypertension was greatest among African Americans. Also most of these test subjects exhibited increased stiffness or resistance of their peripheral arteries. This stiffness has been linked to genetic factors, obesity and lack of exercise, excessive salt intake and old age.
About 5 to 10 percent of the cases of hypertension can be attributed to some specific cause and is called secondary hypertension. Chronic kidney diseases, oral contraceptive pills, adrenal gland tumors, chronic alcohol abuse and coarctation of the aorta are known causes of secondary hypertension. Coarctation of the aorta is the most common cause of secondary hypertension in children.
The effects of uncontrolled hypertension are many and lead to much lower quality and enjoyment of life. One of the most common and dangerous conditions is cardiovascular disease. Mental processes like reasoning ability and memory can also be adversely affected in hypertensive patients. These problems are even more evident in older people who experience a decline in cognitive functions because older patients have lower resistance to the symptoms of hypertension.
Though high blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension are closely related, uncontrolled hypertension is more dangerous as it can lead to far more serious conditions including stroke and other cardiac problems.
What are your options.
Millions of Americans see doctors every year for hypertension and other related conditions. Untold millions are spent on treatments and medications that may or may not be very effective. Side affects from medications can also be severe and uncomfortable and as a result, many patients are turning to natural health practitioners and methods to treat hypertension. If you are suffering from the affects of hypertension, there a several things you can do right now to help alleviate some of the symptoms and greatly reduce the condition of hypertension.
1. Exercise. There is no question about it, we have become a very sedentary society. With many of our jobs in an office environment, we just don't get the exercise we need. Walking is one way to help you get the exercise you need and also reduce hypertension.
2. Diet. Watching what we eat, don't overeat, and limiting the amount of fat we ingest is a powerful way to lower hypertension. Many hypertension problems are cardiovascular system related. Poor diet can lead to dangerous plaque build up in our veins and arteries, which constricts the blood flow raising blood pressure.
3. Alcohol and smoking. Lowering your alcohol intake and smoking can have a profound affect on hypertension.
Following these simple guidelines will have a profound impact not only on hypertension symptoms, but in overall well being and health as well. It is possible to lower through hypertension exercises designed to treat this condition.
