by Courtney Alexis Packard

Created on: April 06, 2009

High Blood Pressure- How To Deal

Having high blood pressure is far more common than you think. According to a 2009 report from the American Heart Association, 73.6 million Americans over the age of 20 are afflicted with hypertension. In fact, over the five years spanning between 1995 and 2005, there was a 25.2 percent increase in high blood pressure related deaths.

Blood pressure is the force in which blood pushes against the artery walls of your heart as it travels through the body. This amount of pressure is measured in two number values- the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure accounts for the amount of cardiac output and pressure within the arterial system as its highest level. Diastolic pressure measures peripheral resistance and arterial pressure at its lowest. A normal BP reading for an average, healthy adult is somewhere around 120/80 (read: 120 over 80). Mild stages of hypertension are classified in the 140/90 range.

There are two types of hypertension, primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary (or essential) hypertension is most commonly linked to family history and genetics. Approximate 90-95 percent of those with hypertension are diagnosed as primary. Secondary hypertension is usually caused by an underlying health issue such as a neurologic or endocrine disease. In most cases, curing these conditions will also correct high blood pressure.

One factor that influences the staggering rate of people suffering from high blood pressure is that many, if not most of them, are unaware that they even have it! The American Heart Association reports that 78.7 percent of patients were unaware of their condition. Hypertension is not called the silent killer' just for shock value. Hypertension can take years or decades to show any physical symptoms and by this point it could be too late to remedy the situation without pricey medications or surgery to fix hardened arteries. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to heart and kidney failure, eye damage, stroke, and death.

Patients do not necessarily need to begin a medicine regime in order to manage high blood pressure. Doctors often times recommend that patients start their treatment by simply making a few lifestyle and dietary changes. For example, cutting sodium and caffeine from your diet can dramatically lower your blood pressure reading in a only a few weeks. Saying goodbye to coffee or soda and hello to water can have many amazing health benefits that can exceed just lowering

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