Hypertension guide

Causes of High Blood Pressure

The Causes of High Blood Pressure explained. Simply put BP is the amount of force that the blood exerts on the of the vessels in the body. Its values fluctuate throughout the day based on several factors. When your BP stays elevated for a period of time, you are deemed to be suffering from hypertension. This is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to hardening of the arteries and other vessels (atherosclerosis).

It also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. It can result in other conditions such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness. A BP level of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered hypertension. About 66% of people over the age of 65 suffer from hypertension. If your BP is between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, then you suffer from pre-hypertension.

Pre-hypertension means that you don't suffer from hypertension yet but you are likely to develop hypertension in the future unless you adopt the healthy lifestyle changes described on this site. The exact causes of hypertension are not known but several factors and conditions may play a role in its development.

Age (Men: Over 55; Women: Over 65)Abnormal Cholesterol LevelsFamily History of Early Heart DiseaseFamily history of HypertensionTobacco Use or SmokingDiabetesBeing Overweight or ObeseLack of Physical ActivityToo much salt in the dietExcessive Alcohol consumption (More Than 1 to 2 Drinks per Day)StressGeneticsChronic Kidney DiseaseAdrenal and Thyroid Disordersand many more

Hypertension Symptoms

Are you suffering from Hypertension? Hypertension is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and many more health problems.

High BP Symptoms are not as notable as Low BP Symptoms and hypertension is commonly referred to as the silent killer. Due to this you can suffer from hypertension Symptoms for years before realising that you have the condition. During this time hypertension can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, vessels and other organs in the body.

Hypertension Symptoms and Signs may include:

HeadacheEpistaxis (Nose Bleed)BreathlessnessRinging in Ears (Tinnitus)Insomnia (Sleepiness)Feeling WeakFeeling SleepyConfusionFatigueProfuse SweatingVomitingLoss of LibidoBlurred Vision

Though these Hypertension Symptoms may appear in some patients, most patients experience no Hypertension Symptoms. Below is a Hypertension Table.

Normal: 90-120mmHg/60-80mmHgPre-Hypertension: 120-140mmHg/80-90mmHgHypertension Stage 1: 140-160mmHg/90-100mmHgHypertension Stage 2: 160-180mmHg/100-120mmHgHypertension Crisis: >180mmHg/>120mmHg

Although many people do have some of the Hypertension Symptoms mentioned above many do not have High Blood Pressure Symptoms at all so it is recommended that you know your blood pressure at all times. Whether you test it at home or go for a monthly test at your local physician.

Although many people do have some of the High Blood Pressure Symptoms mentioned above many do not have High Blood Pressure Symptoms at all so it is recommended that you know your blood pressure at all times. Whether you test it at home or go for a monthly test at your local physician.

For more information on High Blood Pressure Symptoms and How to Lower Blood Pressure visit http://www.normalbloodpressure.co.za/

Our website is there to provide you with all the information you need on blood pressure.

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We all have and need blood pressure. Unfortunately, for some of us, our systolic pressure is higher than the numbers recommended by the World Health Organization. That is when we have hypertension. Many people who have the condition do not know that they have it. This article will give you comprehensive information about:

the common signs and symptoms of high blood pressure;how to find out if you have the condition; andwhat to do if you have.

12 Common signs and symptoms high blood pressure

There are many signs and symptoms that are widely believed to be associated with hypertension. Here is a list of the twelve most common:

headachenosebleedbreathlessnesstinnitusinsomniaconfusionfatigueprofuse sweatingvomitinglow libido or lack of sexual desireblurred visionno symptoms at all - this is the most common "sign or symptom"

Although people with hypertension may have some or several of these symptoms, they occur just as frequently in those people who do not have the condition. Having one or more of these symptoms is not conclusive as they can be due to other causes. If you have some or none of these symptoms, it is worth finding out if you do have hypertension.

How to find out if you have hypertension

Diagnosing hypertension is not as simple as having your blood pressure measured. That is because our systolic and diastolic pressures vary throughout the day. Even the stress of visiting the doctor's office affects our blood pressure. In a recently published survey, 39% of patients in the UK that were diagnosed with hypertension actually had normal blood pressure. It was a similar picture in the USA.

Several measurements are required before an accurate diagnosis can be made. The recommended way of doing this is for the patient to be monitored for 24 hours during which time his or her pressures are automatically measured every 15 minutes and the results recorded.

Alternatively, you can measure your own pressures. Home digital BP monitors are accurate, reliable and easy to use. You will need to take readings at the same time each day and under the same conditions.

The best time is immediately before or upon rising but before having any food, drink or even smoking a cigarette. Take measurements every day for at least two weeks and record the results in a spreadsheet. Doctors like to see not only the actual readings, but also the results plotted on a graph. This helps them to spot trends in the results. Your data will help your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.

The World Health Organization defines normal BP as 120/80. Many doctors, however, consider 140/90 to be normal - particularly for older patients.

Acting on the results

Hypertension is a major risk factor in heart disease, heart attack and stroke. If left untreated, your condition can also lead to damage of your kidneys and eyes.

Remember, the most common symptom of hypertension is that it has no symptoms. The best way to keep healthy is to have your BP checked at regular intervals. Fortunately, there is much you can do to reduce your hypertension naturally. These include:

having a healthy dietbeing more activelosing excess weightquitting smoking

Making these simple lifestyle changes will help lower your high blood pressure naturally.

Robert Reddin suffers from high blood pressure. He lowered his blood pressure to normal levels using natural methods. Click here! if you want to lower your blood pressure naturally. http://how-to-lower-your-blood-pressure.com/

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