High Blood Pressure

Statistically speaking, many people suffer from high blood pressure. In the US alone, one in every four Americans has Hypertension. According to doctors and scientists, Hypertension is the excessive increase in pressure within the multi-channeled vessels that transport/convey blood, or arteries. Having a high blood pressure basically indicates that the pressure exerted by the vessels/arteries as they receive blood pumped out by the heart is higher than the normal rate. A person is identified as hypertensive if his blood pressure is above 139/89.

In the long run, this medical condition can lead to other serious illnesses such as stroke, heart disease, stiffening of the vessels/arteries or Atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and eye disorders.

Currently, there are two kinds of high blood pressure -- primary Hypertension and secondary Hypertension. In primary Hypertension, patients acquire this condition due to a combination of several factors. For patients with secondary Hypertension, it means that they have some sort of abnormality within their systems or organs and that the occurrence of Hypertension is an effect of that abnormality.

Causes of Blood Pressure
The most typical kind, the primary Hypertension, is experienced by millions of Americans. A specific reason why many people have Hypertension is a very salty diet. In regards to this, obesity -- which is common among Americans who consume large amounts of salty foods -- also contributes to the onset of this medical condition.

Other causes are kidney failure, old age, and the genetic make-up of a person. In those with kidney failure, the blood pumped out by the heart to the bean-shaped kidney is blocked due to a narrowed or compressed renal artery. The constriction of the renal arteries can be due to the swelling of the arterial walls through the build-up of fatty tissues or Fibromuscular hyperplasia -- the swelling of the muscles within the arterial walls. For those who are 40 years old and above, the amount of salt within their bodies has accumulated over time, making them more prone to high blood pressure. More than 20% of patients with high blood pressure have inherited their predisposition to this condition from their parents who are also hypertensive. Additionally, those who are from the African-American gene pool are also at higher risks of developing Hypertension.

Stress also plays an important role since stressful activities or emotional problems can momentarily cause an upsurge in the blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Symptoms
Common symptoms are blurred or double vision, nausea, headache, labored breathing, and dizziness. Because these symptoms are very mild, most people do not pay attention when they experience these conditions. As a result, people are brought to a hospital or doctor only when a stroke or other serious complications have already occurred that are directly linked to high blood pressure.

Treatment for High Blood Pressure
Several medicines have been developed to treat high blood pressure and some of these are -- ACE Inhibitors, Minoxidil, Diuretics, beta blockers, Clonidine, and an experimental drug such as Omapatrilat. These drugs work by either relaxing the muscles of thickened arteries or by lowering down the salt level within the body.

A change in lifestyle can benefit those with Hypertension. Avoidance of stressful activities and emotional issues can greatly help in treating patients with high blood pressure. Additionally, patients diagnosed with this condition are advised to eat lots of healthy food and to go easy on salty and fatty foods. Also, people with this kind of condition are advised to avoid drinking coffee since it can directly cause an upsurge in blood pressure.

To help out patients that are highly emotional or stressed, alternative methods such as yoga and meditation can be practiced so as to lower the blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Prevention
A healthy lifestyle can greatly prevent the occurrence of high blood pressure. Alcohol and smoking habits should be lessened or should be stopped altogether so as to avoid having Hypertension. Eating less salty foods and regular exercise are also highly recommended as preventive methods against high blood pressure.