by Julie Diaz

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where a person has chronically elevated blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels. The heart pumps the blood through the body, so hypertension causes the heart to work harder to pump the blood. Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, vision problems, and kidney failure. Even moderate hypertension can shorten life expectancy.

There are usually no symptoms for hypertension. Nearly one-third of those with the condition do not know that they have it. The only way to determine if a person has hypertension is to have their blood pressure checked. This is done with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. Normal blood pressure is measured as below 120/80 mmHg. If blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher it is considered hypertension.

Unless the blood pressure is unusually elevated, the first choice of treatment is to make lifestyle changes. Some of these changes include the following:
-losing weight
-eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
-reducing sodium intake
-getting enough exercise
-stopping smoking

If lifestyle changes are not enough to lower blood pressure, medications can be used. There are a variety of drugs that are prescribed for hypertension, including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and angiotensin receptor blockers. They all work in different ways, so a doctor may need to try several before finding the right one for lowering blood pressure.

When there is high blood pressure in the arteries that supply blood to the lungs it is called pulmonary hypertension. It is caused when blood vessels supplying blood to the lungs constrict and thicken. This causes the vessels to be unable to carry as much blood. Pressure builds up in the vessels which causes the heart to work harder to force blood through the vessels.

The majority of cases of pulmonary hypertension are caused by another disease, such as some lung and heart diseases. On rare occasions the disease does not appear to be caused by any other disease. This is known as primary pulmonary hypertension and there is little known about its cause. It is believed that in people with this form of pulmonary hypertension the blood vessels are sensitive to factors that cause the disease to develop.

The first symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are usually fatigue, then difficultly breathing, dizziness and fainting. Later in the disease

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>