by A Howell

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Hypertension also known as "High Blood Pressure" is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to distribute blood throughout the body. It also contributes to a hardening of the arteries with can cause heart failure. Blood pressure is the force that pushes blood throughout the body against the blood vessel walls while the heart pumps blood distributing it throughout the body. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. Stage one Hypertension is 140-159/90-99, Stage two is 160 and above/100 and above.

There are no definite symptoms to hypertension the only way of knowing it is to have your blood pressure checked by your doctor or having blood work done. If your blood pressure is extremely high there maybe signs to look out for such as fatigue, severe headaches, chest pain, irregular heart beat, and blood in urine.

How you get hypertension is unknown, but there are several factors that may play a role in getting it. People who smoke, are overweight, too much salt in their diets, stress, old age, genetics, chronic kidney disease, and thyroid disorders.

Hypertension is treated with drug therapies. Several types of drugs are available to treat hypertension, including ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers , diuretics, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. You can also make changes is your lifestyle like eating healthy (limit salt intake), quit smoking and exercise.
Hypertension is a serious disease that can affect your heart and blood vessels. Eventually it can lead to a stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.
If you are at high risk of getting hypertension ask your doctor what you can do to prevent it. Set up an exercise plan, limit salt, if you smoke; try to quit, try managing your stress and limit alcohol intake. To avoid a false blood pressure reading try to avoid caffeine, smoking and exercise at least a half an hour before your exam. A single reading of your blood pressure can't determine whether or not you have hypertension because it could change throughout the day. If it is high the doctor may have you come back for another reading or send you for further testing, which may include a urinalysis, blood work and/or an EKG.

Learn more about this author, A Howell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.