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Hypertension

Description
Hypertension, or chronic high blood pressure affects, about 38 million people in the United States, but only about half of them are aware of it. The disease tends to affect men more than women and people of color more than Caucasians. The risk of developing hypertension increases with factors such as family history, age, obesity, stressful or sedentary life-style, high salt or high fat diets, and tobacco use.

Hypertension usually occurs when arterioles (small arteries) become damaged, causing narrowing and rigidity. Pressure within these blood vessels increases, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through the circulatory system.

Most cases of hypertension, perhaps as much as 95%, have no known specific cause. This type of hypertension is called Essential Hypertension. However, hypertension may be caused by a particular organ defect, such as vascular disease. This type is called Secondary Hypertension.

Symptoms
Hypertension usually does not have symptoms unless complications develop. Most people learn they have hypertension after a routine blood pressure check reveals elevated pressure. The lack of recognizable symptoms has earned hypertension the name "the silent killer."

Blood Pressure Measurement
Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers, for example 120/80. The first number is the systolic pressure; the second number is the diastolic pressure The systolic pressure is a measure of the work done when the heart contracts, forcing blood into the circulatory system. The diastolic reflects the ease or difficulty with which the blood flows through the arterioles as the blood circulates. Usually, blood pressure less than 140/90 is acceptable for most people.

Treatment
Although hypertension cannot be cured, it can be effectively treated. Mild hypertension can often be treated without drugs. Diet modifications, including restriction of salt, fats and excess calories, as well as avoidance of stimulants such as tobacco and caffeine, are usually quite effective. Exercise and maintenance of a healthy body weight are also important. Stress reduction techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce or eliminate stress factors which contribute to elevated blood pressure.

Patients with persistent diastolic pressure (readings of 90 or more) are usually treated with anti-hypertensive medication, as well as with the above recommendations.

Complications
Hypertension itself is the primary cause of more than 32,000 deaths each year in the United States. If left untreated, hypertension can result in serious damage to the kidneys and is a significant risk in heart attacks, stokes and blindness.

More Information/Questions
If you have had your blood pressure checked and were told that the reading was high, you should seek medical evaluation. Blood pressure screening is available at the Health Center, with follow-up by a physician if needed.