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High Blood Pressure According to recent estimates, nearly one in three
U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms,
nearly one-third of these people don't know they have it. In fact, many
people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Uncontrolled
high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or
kidney failure. This is why high blood pressure is often called the "silent
killer." The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have
your blood pressure checked. |
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What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). It's measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure (or hypertension) is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially when it's present with other risk factors. High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it's more common among people over age 35. It's particularly prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are more likely to have high blood pressure, too.
American Heart Association recommended
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What Causes High Blood Pressure? In 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown. In fact, you can have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. That's why it's the “silent killer” — it creeps up on you. When the cause is unknown, you have what's called essential or primary hypertension. Factors that may lead to high blood pressure in the remaining 5–10 percent of cases, which are known as secondary hypertension, include:
These problems can usually be corrected. For example, doctors can repair a narrowed artery that supplies blood to a kidney. Most of these problems can be ruled out by a careful history, a physical examination and a few tests. Special tests are sometimes needed, but you don't usually have to stay in the hospital. How does high blood pressure develop?
Your heart pumps blood through the body's arteries. The large arteries that leave your heart taper into smaller arteries called arterioles. The arterioles then taper into smaller vessels called capillaries, which supply oxygen and nutrients to all the organs of your body. The blood then returns to your heart through the veins. Certain nerve impulses cause your arteries to dilate (become larger) or contract (become smaller). If these vessels are wide open, blood can flow through easily. If they're narrow, it's harder for the blood to flow through them, and the pressure inside them increases. Then high blood pressure may occur. When this happens, your heart becomes strained and blood vessels may become damaged. Changes in the vessels that supply blood to your kidneys and brain may cause these organs to be affected. Your heart, brain and kidneys can handle increased pressure for a long time. That's why you can live for years without any symptoms or ill effects. But that doesn't mean it's not hurting you. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.
What does high blood pressure do to your body?
Blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg is generally considered ideal. Levels higher than this increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. If you have unusually low blood pressure, have it evaluated. |
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How Do I Know If I Have High Blood
Pressure? High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have this disease for years without knowing it. Having high blood pressure (hypertension) doesn't mean you're tense, nervous or hyperactive. You can be a calm, relaxed person and still have hypertension. The only way to find out if you have this disease is to have your blood pressure checked! A blood pressure test is quick and painless. It can be done in a doctor's office, hospital clinic, school, nurse's office, company clinic or at a health fair. A single high reading doesn't mean you have high blood pressure, but it's a sign that you need to watch your blood pressure carefully. If your blood pressure is normal, get it checked at least every two years. If you have prehypertension, or if you have a family history of high blood pressure, you're at higher risk. Your doctor will tell you how often to have it checked.
How is blood pressure checked? The person listens and watches the gauge, then records two measurements. Systolic pressure is the pressure of the blood flow when the heart beats (the pressure when the first sound is heard). Diastolic pressure is the pressure between heartbeats (the pressure when the last sound is heard). Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, which is abbreviated mm Hg.
Do blood pressure cuffs come in different sizes? |
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High Blood Pressure in Children
Children, even babies, can have high blood pressure. The American Heart
Association recommends that all children have yearly blood pressure
measurements. Detecting high blood pressure early will improve a child's health. At one time, doctors thought that most high blood pressure in children was secondary (that is, caused by other disease). Now they know this isn't so. Some children have higher blood pressures for unknown reasons. These children are said to have primary or essential hypertension. Research scientists don't know why some children have higher blood pressure than others. Children who are overweight usually have higher blood pressure. Some children inherit the tendency toward higher blood pressure from one or both parents. High blood pressure is more frequent and more severe in families of African Americans than in whites. The reasons aren't fully understood. A special diet and regular physical activity may be prescribed by the doctor to lower high blood pressure in overweight children. The doctor may also prescribe medication if diet and regular physical activity don't bring the high blood pressure under control. Cigarette smoking isn't directly related to high blood pressure, but youngsters who smoke should stop for a variety of health reasons. Smoking increases the overall risk for cardiovascular disease. Parents should set a good example by not smoking and help educate their children about the dangers of smoking. |
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Common Misconceptions
1. Common symptoms
of high blood pressure include nervousness, sweating and difficulty
sleeping. |
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| Your High Blood Pressure Questions Answered - Blood Pressure Variance |
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