Knowing "The Silent Killer" Better
Hypertension or high blood pressure is the most common of
all cardiovascular diseases in this global community. In the United States
about 60 million people have high hypertension. This includes a 50% number of
all Americans over 60’s and about 64% of those above 70 years.
Hypertension can be determined by one blood pressure reading. Blood pressure refers to the force of the heart to pump blood into the body circulatory system. Blood pressure is read as two numbers. The first or the upper number is the systolic pressure and the second or the lower number is the diastolic pressure
A systolic pressure is the highest tension need by the heart to pump blood into the circulatory system, while diastolic is the lowest tension exert by the heart when filling its chamber with blood from the circulatory system. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg means that the systolic pressure is 120 mm Hg and its diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg (millimeter of mercury).
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Normal blood pressure
Normal blood pressure ranges from 90/60 mm Hg (in new births) to 120/80 mm Hg in healthy adults. A person is considered to have hypertension if it is consistently higher than normal from time to time and in several occasions. Inconsistent raise of blood pressure is not considered as hypertension. This may occur in line with emotional circumstances, or after some normal physical exercises.
Hypertension standards
Any blood pressure reading above 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic is considered as hypertension. The increase of diastolic pressure contributes a greater risk to heart complications compared to the increase of systolic pressure.
The higher the diastolic pressure is – meaning the resting period of the heart where it should relax – the higher the burden of the heart. Imagine somebody has to exert power and energy while rest, he will get exhausted very soon. Same thing may happen to our heart with a high diastolic pressure. Added by a high systolic pressure, it will get exhausted very soon causing a heart attack.
In terms of high blood pressure readings, hypertension can be divided into 4 categories:
Hypertension complications
A consistent hypertension for a prolonged time may cause damage of blood vessels as well as other organs in the body, like our heart, kidney and eyes. Since hypertension does not show any symptoms, the patient does not aware that the damage is in process. The specific ailments that are common as hypertension complications are heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and vision disorders.
On the other side, hypertension may be caused or as a complication of other diseases or conditions e.g. diabetes, obesity or overweight, pre-eclampsia, smoking and stress.
More information about hypertension, Click Here!
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However, public awareness about the danger of
hypertension has increased, as it becomes the second most common reason for
medical office visits today.
Hypertension can be determined by one blood pressure reading. Blood pressure refers to the force of the heart to pump blood into the body circulatory system. Blood pressure is read as two numbers. The first or the upper number is the systolic pressure and the second or the lower number is the diastolic pressure
A systolic pressure is the highest tension need by the heart to pump blood into the circulatory system, while diastolic is the lowest tension exert by the heart when filling its chamber with blood from the circulatory system. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg means that the systolic pressure is 120 mm Hg and its diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg (millimeter of mercury).
Normal blood pressure Normal blood pressure ranges from 90/60 mm Hg (in new births) to 120/80 mm Hg in healthy adults. A person is considered to have hypertension if it is consistently higher than normal from time to time and in several occasions. Inconsistent raise of blood pressure is not considered as hypertension. This may occur in line with emotional circumstances, or after some normal physical exercises.
Hypertension standardsAny blood pressure reading above 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic is considered as hypertension. The increase of diastolic pressure contributes a greater risk to heart complications compared to the increase of systolic pressure.
The higher the diastolic pressure is – meaning the resting period of the heart where it should relax – the higher the burden of the heart. Imagine somebody has to exert power and energy while rest, he will get exhausted very soon. Same thing may happen to our heart with a high diastolic pressure. Added by a high systolic pressure, it will get exhausted very soon causing a heart attack.
Hypertension categories
In terms of high blood pressure readings, hypertension can be divided into 4 categories:
- Normal Blood Pressure: Systolic/diastolic less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Mild hypertension or pre-hypertension: Systolic 120 – 139 or diastolic 80 - 89 mm Hg
- Moderate hypertension or Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic 140 -159 or diastolic 90 - 99 mm Hg
- Severe hypertension or Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic/diastolic more than 160/100 mm Hg
Hypertension complicationsA consistent hypertension for a prolonged time may cause damage of blood vessels as well as other organs in the body, like our heart, kidney and eyes. Since hypertension does not show any symptoms, the patient does not aware that the damage is in process. The specific ailments that are common as hypertension complications are heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and vision disorders.
On the other side, hypertension may be caused or as a complication of other diseases or conditions e.g. diabetes, obesity or overweight, pre-eclampsia, smoking and stress.
More information about hypertension, Click Here! 
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