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High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure exerted by the
blood flow on the walls of the arteries. It is the
determined by the force and amount of blood pumped
by the heart and by the diameter of the arteries.
It consists of two components Systolic pressure
and Diastolic pressure. These are normally 120 and
80 mmHg respectively. When the blood pressure
exceeds these values , it leads to a condition
called High blood pressure or hypertension.
There are two types of Hypertension, primary and
secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension is
hypertension without a specific identifiable
cause. Secondary hypertension is elevated blood
pressure that results from an underlying,
identifiable, often correctable cause. Only about
5 to 10 percent of hypertension cases are thought
to result from secondary causes.. The most common
causes of secondary hypertension are kidney
disease, adrenal gland disease, narrowing of the
aorta and sleep apnea.
Hypertension frequently causes few or no symptoms,
therefore regular blood pressure checks should be
done to diagnose hypertension. When symptoms
occur, the most common symptoms are headaches,
dizziness, and blurred vision. In severe cases,
confusion and coma are possible.
Blood pressure is usually measured with a small
portable instrument called a blood pressure cuff
or the sphygmomanometer. The blood pressure cuff
consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a
rubber cuff. The instrument measures the blood
pressure in units called millimeters of mercury
(mmHg).
A blood pressure reading of 120/80mmHg is
considered normal whereas a blood pressure of
140/90mmHg or higher is considered high blood
pressure or hypertension.
Hypertension can be managed by changes in
lifestyle such as by quitting smoking, eating a
diet lower in cholesterol and salt, getting
regular exercise, and by taking antihypertensive
drugs such as beta blockers or other
anti-hypertensive medications.
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