by Lisa Snider

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

Hypertension The Silent Killer

The force of blood rushing against the walls of the blood vessels is what is known as blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when the blood presses too hard against the vessel walls.

The reasons for the occurrence of high blood pressure can be attributed to narrowed blood vessels, more blood than normal moving through the vessels, or the heart beating too hard or too fast. Hypertension damages to the vessel walls, causing them to attract fatty substances, which can layer up, harden and become plaque. This build-up narrows the vessels, reducing and blocking blood flow. When blood does not flow as it should through the body, heart failure, blindness, stroke and kidney failure are likely to occur.

Hypertension can occur in anyone, but the associated risk factors most likely to cause it include people who: are overweight, have high cholesterol, have diabetes, have a family history, smoke, are male, are over 60 or are African American. Also, women who take birth control pills or are post-menopausal are at risk.

There are no warning signs, no symptoms and that is why hypertension is often referred to as the "silent killer." Therefore, getting blood pressure checked by a doctor on a regular basis is the only way to know if there is a problem. A blood pressure reading will provide two numbers, one is systolic pressure (the higher number showing how hard the pressure is when the heart beats) and the other is diastolic (the lower number showing how hard the pressure is when the heart is at rest). According to the American Heart Association, a normal reading is 120 over 80 or lower. A reading of 140 over 90 is considered high.

While high blood pressure cannot be cured, it can be managed. Treatments to bring blood pressure down can include: losing weight, drinking less alcohol and caffeine, quitting smoking, exercising, reducing stress and eating right. In particular, a low-sodium diet of less than 2300 milligrams per day should be followed. Healthy daily choices that eliminate table salt (a quarter teaspoon has 600 milligrams of sodium), and processed foods (most are very high in sodium) are a great first step toward controlling hypertension. If these treatments are unsuccessful, medication will be prescribed.

Getting a handle early, following doctors' orders and taking immediate steps to reduce blood pressure will increase your ability to live a long, healthy life.

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