Facts About Hypertension

There is no universally acceptable definition of hypertension, operationally any definition of hypertension must remain flexible as the blood pressure varies with age and sex in most communities and even in the same individual the diurnal range may be considerable. In most epidemiological studies an arbitrary cut -off point of 140/90mmHg has been used but a more acceptable definition is that one from World Health Organization which recognises 160/95 mmHg as the dividing line. It States as follows: 

Hypertension in adults is arbitrary defined as a systolic pressure equal to or grater than 160 mmHg (21.3KPa) and or diastolic (fifth phase) equal to or greater than 99mmHg (12.7KPa).

Borderline  hypertension is often defined as the pressure range between 140/90 and 160/95mmHg.

Hypertension is the most popular disease of the circulatory system. It simply means high blood pressure and common among top executives and businessmen and others who are usually under stress.

The pulse is the wave of pressure that results from beat of the left ventricle of the heart which travels along the arteries and felt on the arteries.

A normal blood pressure is usually 120 systolic and 80 diastolic which is normally written as 120/80 for male and 110/70 for a young lady. Systolic pressure is the blood pressure at the moment of contraction and the diastolic pressure is the blood pressure at the moment of relaxation of the heart. Blood pressure changes at different times of the day depending on the activity. When blood pressure is 140/90 or higher and remain so for a long time, then an urgent medical attention must sought for. Causes of hypertension include nervous tension, obesity, increasing age, heredity, narrowing of the arteries, excessive salt intake,  smoking, diabetes and hormonal imbalance.

When taken BP, more than one reading is essential and the person should be made to relax as the anxiety of the result may even shoot up the reading. The patient should either be sitting or lying with his or her arm at the same height as the heart and be comfortable.

When no cause can be found for high BP, it is known as essential or primary hypertension but those affected usually constricted signs and symptoms: headache, fatigue, dizziness and emotional imbalance. Secondary hypertension is the result of hardening of the secretions which affect retention of salt and water by the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine.