| I couldn't resist the title. There are 4 groups of | | | | places are starting to lower the figure. Your |
| people I can think of. Those who don't have high | | | | doctor will record it as 140/90 mmHg. Normal is |
| blood pressure but think they do, those who do | | | | accepted as 120/80 mmHg. |
| have high blood pressure but think they don't, | | | | What causes hypertension then? In most cases, |
| those who don't know and don't care, and those | | | | there is no identifiable cause. Doctors call it |
| who do know, and do care. | | | | essential hypertension. In other cases, kidney |
| The first group of people are always worried. | | | | disease or other rare conditions can raise the |
| They get a headache, feel a little dizzy , feel | | | | blood pressure. This is particularly if the patient is |
| some heart palpitations and are sure they have | | | | very young. |
| high blood pressure or going to have a stroke or | | | | So what are the risks of having it? Unfortunately, |
| a heart attack. The reality is, often, those with | | | | a higher blood pressure puts you at higher risk of |
| hypertension rarely have any symptoms unless | | | | getting strokes and heart attacks. The risk |
| complications have set in. Unfortunately, even | | | | increases as the blood pressure increases. In time, |
| people with very high blood pressure can feel | | | | the higher pressure can cause the heart and |
| quite well. Of course, the test itself is very easy, | | | | kidneys to wear out, leading to heart failure and |
| so it is probably better to get the blood pressure | | | | kidney failure. Keeping the blood pressure within |
| checked anyway. Better safe than sorry. | | | | normal limits can reduce these risks. |
| The second group are those who really do have | | | | So what can be done? There are natural |
| hypertension. These are those who say "My | | | | non-medical ways of reducing blood pressure. Eat |
| doctor says I have high blood pressure." Usually it | | | | a low-fat, low salt nutritious diet. Avoid being |
| is followed by "But I don't feel anything." As I said | | | | obese. Aim to maintain an ideal weight. Cut down |
| before, it is rare to have symptoms till | | | | on excessive amounts of alcohol. Avoid stress |
| complications set it. If you are above 40, or have | | | | and overwork. Consider going for relaxation or |
| a strong family history of hypertension, it is | | | | meditation classes. Exercise regularly. And quit |
| important to get your blood pressure checked | | | | smoking ! It doesn't raise the blood pressure but it |
| regularly. You can see your doctor or nurse, or | | | | definitely does not help the heart. |
| even buy a blood pressure monitor for yourself. | | | | If the natural measures do not help, the doctor |
| Hypertension must be controlled in order to | | | | may need to prescribe medication, called |
| prevent complications. | | | | antihypertensive treatment. There are many |
| For the group that don't know and don't care, I | | | | different classes of drugs used to treat |
| have nothing more to say. The rest of the article | | | | hypertension. The latest new drug may not |
| is for the last group. | | | | necessarily be the best one for you. The choice |
| So what is hypertension? Many people misuse the | | | | of drug is affected by any other medical |
| word. When they get angry with their children, | | | | conditions, allergies, lifestyle, cost etc. Your doctor |
| they say "You are giving high blood pressure!" | | | | will be able to help you make the best choice. |
| While it is true that exercise, or getting emotional | | | | Sometimes, in serious cases, a combination of |
| can raise the blood pressure temporarily, it is not | | | | drugs may need to be used. |
| called hypertension. A sustained raised pressure | | | | Take your medication regularly. Don't skip days. |
| higher than normal is hypertension. Your doctor | | | | And don't stop the medication unless advised by |
| will usually like to document a raised blood | | | | your doctor. |
| pressure over 2-3 different times before making | | | | So how often should you check it? If you are well |
| a diagnosis. | | | | and above 40, you may want to get it checked |
| There are two types of blood pressure - the | | | | every 2-3 years. Women on the pill need to have |
| systolic and the diastolic. The systolic BP is when | | | | it checked often. And if you are on medication, |
| the heart pumps blood, and the diastolic BP is | | | | follow your doctor's advice. Even if you don't feel |
| when the heart relaxes. The current definition of | | | | ill. By the time you do feel the effects of high |
| hypertension is still a BP greater than 140 mmHg | | | | blood pressure, it would be too late. |
| systolic, and 90 mmHg diastolic though some | | | | |