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Reasons for Hypertension

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:25:32 +0000

There are basically two classifications of high blood pressure which are the primary or essential and the secondary. Ninety-five percent of reported high blood pressure cases are in the primary category. Primary high blood pressure is the result of multiple elements. The other 5 percent of hypertension cases classified as secondary are directly related to body operations or a particular deviation of one of the organs of the body.

About 72 million Americans suffer from the effects of primary high blood pressure and the reasons are not usually recognized. There are, however, certain similarities in individuals in the primary high blood pressure category. Those who take in a lot of salt in their diet, more than 5.8 grams each day, may end up with primary high blood pressure. The dangers of taking in an excessive amount of salt is especially related to groups of individuals that are obese, of African American heritage, seniors citizens, have a renal insufficiency (kidney failure), or have a family history of hypertension. The normal quantity of salt intake should be kept to 3.8 grams daily to replace salt lost through perspiration if in the age range is of 19 to 50 years.

Family history of hypertension is considered an important factor in developing high blood pressure. About 30 percent of those who have been diagnosed with primary high blood pressure have genetics to blame. As an accepted rule of thumb, hypertension is more widely found in the African American culture than it is in individuals who are Asian or Caucasian. Further, those who have at least one parent with high blood pressure experience double the danger of ending up with hypertension than others of the same age and heritage.

Most individuals who suffer from high blood pressure have a similarity which is a certain unnatural condition of the arteries. This is a lack of elasticity or a stiffness that affects the arteries furthest away from the heart. These are tiny and called arterioles or peripheral arteries. The blood has a supply of oxygen and the arteries supply this blood as well as nutrients to the body through all the tissues. The venous system is responsible for returning this blood to the lungs and the heart. Why the stiffness happens in the peripheral arteries is still a medical mystery. Even so, the stiffening of the arteries in those persons who have primary high blood pressure is related to obesity, genetic influences, the aging process, lack of exercise and too much salt intake. Another factor that has a part in the development of high blood pressure is inflammation. An escalated C reactive protein level is present in some people and does lead to hypertension.

Medications Used for High Blood Pressure

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:23:55 +0000

Medicines taken for extended periods means being dedicated to a healthier and longer life. Even though taking medicine for an extended time may feel like a real burden, it has been proven that the process of blood pressure lowering with antihypertensive drugs, does offer treatment for the long-term that is effective for individuals who are diagnosed with high blood pressure. These medicines lower the danger of disability from complications due to high blood pressure and even the danger of early death.

The most commonly used medicines are ACE or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, beta blockers, angitensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and alpha blockers.

The first type of prescribed medications are diuretics. The function of this medicine is to help the kidneys remove a greater volume of salt. In this way the body can shed a greater volume of water by increasing urine and then the blood has less water which helps to bring the pressure down. The premise is if the blood vessels are not so full there is less pressure.

Diuretics are sometimes used along with other common medications like ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or beta blockers. The function of the ACE inhibitor is to decrease the reason the blood vessels become narrowed. When this is accomplished the blood vessels relax and the pressure is lowered. This makes the circulation of the blood easier for the heart muscle.

The medication that has the function of lowering the how fast the heart beats and makes each beat less vigoreous is the beta blocker. Blood pumps with less velocity and this takes pressure off the blood vessels.

Another medication that blocks the chemical that tightens blood vessels is called Angiotensin II receptor blockers. This one is used when the other medicines become too hard for the patient to take because of its side effects.

Another medicine that relaxes the blood vessels to lower the pressure of the blood is Calcium channel blockers. Some of these medications will lower the rate the heart beats and the strength of the beat so using this along with a beta blocker needs to be done very carefully.

The Alpha blockers are usually used after other medicine choices have failed to effectively bring the blood pressure low enough. This one will allow the blood vessels to become wider. Although this medication has more side effects than the other medicines, it may also be effective treatment for a benign condition in men with prostatic hyperthropy.

How to recognize indications of High Blood Pressure and diagnosis

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:20:02 +0000

Do you have high blood pressure? How do you know? Individuals commonly will show no signs of any problem when their blood pressure is high. There is a name that is synonymous with blood pressure that runs high, and that is the “silent killer”. Is it dangerous to leave high blood pressure go untreated? Yes! Potentially serious conditions can be attributed to high blood pressure that is left unattended, even to the point of an end to your life.
There are a few indications of high blood pressure, like becoming very dizzy or possibly experiencing nose bleeds for no apparent reason. Headaches can be attributed to blood pressure that runs too high but these are rather unusual occurrences.
The proper method of testing to see if blood pressure is running too high is to take the pressure read-out multiples times, at least three, keeping about two minutes time in between each reading. The first time the pressure is measured it is of little importance, so this should be ignored. After completing the next two or three readings, the average is the number to be taken into consideration. During a physical at the doctor’s office, a reading showing a blood pressure that is running too high will be checked again in about a month’s time to insure that treatment involving medicine is appropriate. Following through with double checking the blood pressure reading is essential to your health.
What is considered high blood pressure? According to the guidelines of insurance agencies, 140/90 constitutes the beginning point for blood pressure that it too high. This may not be acceptable for all people as everyone is quite different. Because of this, there is a range of levels that is taken into consideration by most authorities. This just means that the numbers do not run black and white. It depends on the individual. The beginning ranges of concern, where the person may be able to lower their blood pressure by making a few changes in daily habits, is a reading somewhere between 120/80 to 139/89.
There are several circumstances that will affect the blood pressure levels. When testing the blood pressure, it is best to avoid doing this right after eating or smoking or drinking anything with caffeine and especially right after physical exertion. Waiting a minimum of one hour after any of these factors will give a proper reading. Any other types of stressful or unusual events need to be taken into consideration to get an accurate reading. Make no mistake. Proper care needs to be taken when it comes to high blood pressure.

Dangers of High Blood Pressure and Other Similar Problems

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:15:30 +0000

Many influences increase the dangers of high blood pressure. A few of these influences are things you cannot change, like your nationality. Those who are from African decent, those of south Asian heritage, of the First Nations, Inuit or Aboriginal Peoples are all at greater risk of developing hypertension. The danger of increased blood pressure can also be due to the aging process with those over the age of 65 are at a 50 percent probability of developing high blood pressure.

There is also an increased chance of getting hypertension because of family genealogy. If your parents suffered from hypertension, you have a 20 percent probability of developing hypertension. If high blood pressure is a problem for both of your parents you run a 33 percent chance of developing a problem.

Here are a few ideas of how to decrease the eventuality of developing hypertension and its problems to your health. Being that diabetes does affect the blood pressure, it is always a good idea to get tested to see if you do suffer from this condition and in case it is a problem, to get proper treatment.

Certain lifestyle choices can directly increase the probability of developing hypertension, like excessive amounts of alcohol, and little to no physical exercising that drastically diminishes the burning of calories that leads to weight gain. Excess weight, particularly when it gathers round the waistline, can be a contributing factor for elevated blood pressure. Excess weight also leads to type 2 diabetes and other complications.

Smoking, like drinking too much alcohol, is a habit that will increase the danger of developing hypertension. The disease that causes the arteries to narrow and makes the heart work harder in directing the flow of blood through the body is called atherosclerosis and is directly related to smoking.

Stress is a common factor in the lives of many individuals today and this will definitely lead to very dangerous levels of high blood pressure. If a person develops a habit of drinking, smoking or eating to alleviate the problems of stress the dangerous increase in the pressure of the blood is eminent.

The last lifestyle condition that should be changed is being careful to find the proper balance of potassium, a very essential mineral, in the cells of the body. This will help to regulate sodium that will make the body retain water and thereby increase the pressure of the blood.