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