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UK Health Guide |
Hypertension is a medical term for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers, the Systolic Pressure (first or higher number) and Diastolic Pressure (second or lower number). If the Systolic Pressure is above 140 mmHg and/or the Diastolic Pressure is above 90 mm then it’s considered high blood pressure or Hypertension. If the blood pressure stays high for a long period, it may damage your heart, blood vessels and other health hazard.
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HypertensionWhat is Hypertension?
Hypertension is a medical term for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers, the Systolic Pressure (first or higher number) and Diastolic Pressure (second or lower number). If the Systolic Pressure is above 140 mmHg and/or the Diastolic Pressure is above 90 mm then it’s considered high blood pressure or Hypertension. If the blood pressure stays high for a long period, it may damage your heart, blood vessels and other health hazard.
Hypertension without a known cause is called “Primary Hypertension” or “Essential Hypertension”. In the remaining 5-10% of patient with high blood pressure have a known cause and they are considered to have "Secondary Hypertension". Hypertension can develop from kidney disease, endocrine diseases, atherosclerosis, etc. Smoking, excessive drinking, and a high-fat diet can result Hypertension.
Causes of Hypertension
There is no specific cause of hypertension among 90-95% of patients having high blood pressure. Hypertension without a known cause is called “Primary Hypertension” or “Essential Hypertension”. The cause of “Essential Hypertension” could be genetic or environmental factors. The factors of high blood pressure are not same for all patients. In the remaining 5-10% of patient with high blood pressure have a known cause and they are considered to have "Secondary Hypertension". Causes of “Secondary Hypertension” could be kidney failure, narrowing of the arteries to the kidneys, and various hormonal conditions.
Though the causes of hypertension in most of the cases are not known, there are some risk factors that give them a greater chance of getting hypertension. Many of these risk factors can be changed to minimize the chance of developing hypertension or as part of a treatment program. These risk factors for hypertension are following
Some risk factors for getting hypertension can be changed, while others cannot. Age, male sex, and race are risk factors that a person can't do anything about.
Diagnosis of Hypertension
Most of the hypertension patients are unaware of this problem, because hypertension doesn't have symptoms. Regular blood pressure checking helps to detect and take control of hypertension. Sphygmomanometer is an instrument which is used to measure blood pressure and detecting hypertension.
Some factors like pain, stress, anxiety, etc. can cause temporary blood pressure increase. That’s why hypertension can’t diagnose on one high blood pressure reading. Diagnosis of hypertension usually is made after two or more readings after the first visit.
Following examinations are useful to diagnose hypertension:
Regular physical health checkup: The physical health checkup including several blood pressure readings at different times and in different positions.
Patient’s and/or family’s Medical history: The medical history of patient or close family members help the physician determining any conditions or disorders that might cause the hypertension.
Electrocardiograph (ECG): An Electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to measure the activity of the heart. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is helpful detecting any enlargement or damage in the heart muscle.
Ophthalmoscopy: Eyes can be checked with ophthalmoscope for any damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, also the physician can look for thickening, narrowing, or hemorrhages of blood vessels in the eyes.
Chest x-ray: Physician can detect any enlargement of the heart from chest x-ray which helps to diagnose hypertension.
Blood and Urine tests: Blood and Urine tests may help to any health disorders that might cause hypertension.
Treatment of Hypertension
There is no specific treatment for “Primary Hypertension” or “Essential Hypertension”, but blood pressure can be lowered with proper treatment. The goal of lowering the blood pressure is to prevent heart disease and other complications of hypertension. In secondary hypertension, the factors that is responsible for the hypertension is to be treated in addition to the hypertension itself. Proper treatment of the underlying disorder helps to cure the “Secondary Hypertension”.
Numerous drugs have been developed to treat hypertension. The choice of medication will depend on the stage of hypertension, side effects, other medical conditions the patient may have, and other medicines the patient is taking.
Physicians advice to take antihypertensive medication in a particular stage of hypertension. Antihypertensive medicines fall into several classes of drugs, these are following
Physicians prefer diuretics and beta-blockers as the first line of treatment for hypertension without any complicating problems.
Alternative Treatment for Hypertension
Changing lifestyle and other non-pharmacologic approaches are useful to managing hypertension. Following approaches help to reduce the blood pressure to moderate level.
Acupuncture and biofeedback have been found to be helpful in lowering blood pressure for some people.
