What is hypertension? Hypertension in laymen terms is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing on the artery walls. When this pressure gets too high it causes the heart to work harder and contributes to hardening of the arteries and eventually heart failure. There are some ways you can prevent hypertension and ways you can treat hypertension if you develop it.

The average blood pressure in an adult is less than 120/80. If it reaches 140-59/90-99 you have developed stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is blood pressure exceeding 160/100.
The cause of hypertension is unknown however there are many factors that can contribute to it. Some of these factors are:
-Smoking
-being overweight
-stress
-old age
-genetics
-too much salt
-lack of physical activity

How will I know if I am developing hypertension? Here are some symptoms that are usually present with hypertension:
-severe headache
-fatigue
-vision problems
-chest pain
-irregular heartbeat
-difficulty breathing

Who is usually effected by hypertension? There are some groups of people who are primary targets for hypertension. Some of these categories are:
-People who have family members with high blood pressure
-African Americans
-women who are pregnant(preeclampsia)
-people who drink alcohol excessively
-women who take birth control pills
-overweight individuals

If you have any of these symptoms described above you should visit your physician and ask to have your blood pressure checked. Your blood pressure is usually checked at your regular physical exam by a device called a sphygmomanometer, which consists of a cuff, a gauge,and a stethoscope. If your blood pressure is high it should be treated immediately with medications such as ace inhibitors,diuretics, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle also needs to happen. If you're overweight you need to try to lose some pounds. If you smoke, STOP!

Here is a break down of what some of these medications do:
-Ace inhibitors: block the enzyme used to produce angiotensin II, a protein that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
-Diuretics: "water pills" help lower blood pressure by excreting excess sodium and water from the body.
-Beta blockers:affect the sympathetic nervous system, your fight or flight response, and lowers blood pressure by blocking the enzyme Renin, which narrows your blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
-Calcium channel blockers:lowers blood pressure through a combination of effects on the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels. Some lower the heart rate while others open or dilate blood vessels so blood can flow more smoothly.

In conclusion, blood pressure is caused by many factors. Some are by poor lifestyles and some are genetics and falling into specific categories. In some instances you can avoid hypertension by changing your lifestyle and living a better life. So, if you fall into the category of hypertension get up and change your life today and it will make a world of difference.

Sources:
1)http://www.webmd.com/hyperte nsion-high-blood-pressure/guid e/blood-pressure-basics
2)http://www.dentalplans.com/D ental-Health-Articles/Drug-Tre atment-of-Essential-Hypertensi on.asp

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