High blood pressure treatment

High blood pressure treatment

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Blood pressure has two components-the systolic pressure (It is the force that blood exerts on the artery walls when the heart is pumping) over the diastolic pressure (it is the residual force that remains when the heart relaxes between beats). The measurement is written one above or before the other, with the systolic number on top and the diastolic number on the bottom. For example, a blood pressure measurement of 130/85 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) is expressed verbally as "130 over 85."

Blood pressure varies from person to person and by ages. In general:
Normal blood pressure is less than 130 mm Hg systolic and less than 85 mm Hg diastolic. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.

Hypertension is generally defined as a blood pressure greater than 140/90. You should bring your blood pressure closer to what's considered optimal, 120/80. Elevated in blood pressure is bad because it raises your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Depending on other risk factors, even the high end of normal may be too high for some people. A study done by researchers at the University of Michigan suggested that even slightly elevated blood pressures can be dangerous for some people, especially those who are obese (those with 20 percent to 30 percent above the recommended body weight). Borderline hypertension is defined as anywhere between 140 and 160 systolic, and between 90 and 95 diastolic. Anything above those levels is bona fide hypertension. (The exception is elderly patients. Here, systolic pressures are sometimes allowed to rise to 180 to compensate for aging arteries, as long as the patient doesn't have other risk factors such as obesity or high cholesterol.)

High blood pressure increases your chance (or risk) for getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having a stroke. Hypertension is often called the silent killer. It is especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. It is estimated that one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. But only about half of those who have it know they have it. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. You can prevent and control high blood pressure by taking action.