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COMMON DISEASES > HYPERTENSION
Essential Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure (BP) has
two components: systolic pressure (the higher number) and
diastolic pressure (the lower number) .It is is measured in
millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)
Systolic BP represents
the pressure that the heart needs to generate to pump blood to
the rest of the body, while Diastolic BP refers to the
pressure needed to pump blood to the arteries of the heart
(coronary arteries).
Hypertension is defined
as: systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120 mm Hg or greater; or
diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80 mm Hg or greater.
Are there any symptoms?
Usually hypertension is
without specific symptoms. However very high blood pressure
sometimes manifests itself in form of headaches and fatigue (a
tired feeling). Hypertension has the ability to damage the
crucial organs of the body like the brain, heart, and kidneys,
as well as arteries throughout the body. It is a very
important risk factor for heart attacks,
strokes, and kidney failure.
What is the diagnosis for high BP?
Blood pressure readings
of more than 120/80 mm Hg on three consecutive visits over a
period of one month means that one is hypertensive. However as
all of us are presently living in high stress situations as a
routine , BP readings of 140/90 are also considered quite
normal nowadays.
Can essential hypertension be prevented?
Prevention of
hypertension involves regular aerobic exercise, restriction on
salt intake, abstinence from smoking, a low fat diet, and
maintaining correct body weight.
Hypertension is a chronic
condition. However medication along with change in life style
(regular exercise , restricted salt diet etc.can lead to a
fall in blood pressure. Once the blood pressure is
consistently less than 130/85 mm Hg without medication, then
one remains no longer hypertensive.
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