Hypertension

Blood pressure is the force the blood exerts on the artery walls whilst travelling through. Blood pressure arises from two forces, the first arises from the heart is it pumps blood through the arties, and into the circulatory system. The secondary force is the force of the arteries when they resist the blood flow. When the heart pumps it forces blood from the larger arteries, into the smaller arteries, the interioles.

The arterioles can contract or expand (dilate), adjusting the resistance to blood flow, and the blood pressure. If the arterioles contract, the resistance to blood flow increases, which reduces blood flow and increases blood pressure. Dilation of the arterioles has the converse effect. Alterations in the inner diameter of the arterioles are important in regulating blood flow and determining blood pressure. If arterioles stay constricted, they can cause Hypertension. High blood pressure or hypertension is when this force is too high, everyone has a blood pressure, but hypertension over a long period of time leads to other health risks. Your blood pressure increases naturally when you exercise or your body is subjected to stress, however it is important to make sure that this state of hypertension is not permanent.

Blood pressure readings are always given as two numbers, as the force of your blood pressure is measured in two ways. They are always represented by a fraction for example 120/90; the top pressure (120) is your systolic reading, which is measured just after your heart beats. The bottom pressure (90) is your diastolic pressure measured in between heartbeats, when your heart is relaxed and filling with blood.

To be completely healthy it is necessary to have both pressures within a normal limit. High blood pressure is defined as a pressure reading greater than 140/90. However for people with diabetes, and or kidney diseases a lower pressure is recommended. Blood pressure goals are highly individualistic, and it is therefore imperative that you discuss the matter of your own goals fully with your doctor.

TYPES OF HYPERTENSION

ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Ninety five percent of sufferers have as type of hypertension that is not caused by a single cause. This is known as Essential hypertension, or primary hypertension.

SECONDARY HYPERTENSION

In five percent of cases of hypertension, it can be linked to one cause. This means that the high blood pressure is in fact a symptom of another disease,

This is known as secondary hypertension.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION.

Hypertension is known as the silent killer, as most people do not experience any symptoms. Sometimes, when there is a really rapid rise in your blood pressure it can cause a headache, and impaired vision, or cause a blackout.

RISK FACTORS.

Some people do develop high blood pressure whilst others do not, and the cause of this is not yet clear. However it has a tendency to run in families.

Other risk factors are

DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERTENSION

As the majority of people have no symptoms the only sure way of knowing is to have your blood pressure monitored regularly,

TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION

You may be required to undergo more than one reading to establish if your blood pressure is high permanently. You are likely to be treated by a nurse or doctor, on a one to one basis. However if it is very severe you may be hospitalised. It is likely to be brought down to acceptable levels by both a change of lifestyle and medical treatment.

LIFE STYLE CHANGES

Undertake measures to manage your level of stress

AVAILABLE MEDICINES

If your blood pressure is high on a permanent basis, then you will be recommended to take drugs that help to reduce it. They may include

Diuretics (These drugs include bendrofluazide).

Diuretics increase the amount of both water and salts removed by the kidneys from your blood. They also widen your arteries.

Beta-blockers (These drugs include atenolol)

Beta-blockers reduce you're your pulse rates, and this slowing down makes your heart work less hard.

ACE Inhibitors(These drugs include captopril, losartan)

There are certain enzymes, which constrict and tighten your arteries, and this group of drugs block them.

Calcium channel blockers (These drugs include nifedipine) or alpha blockers (These drugs include prazosin)

This category of drugs help to widen your arteries.

Your lifestyle and any other diseases you are suffering from will affect the drugs prescribed. It may take a while for the drugs to be administered in the correct dosage for some people. However it is important to control a condition, whose symptoms and affects you are not aware of.

A WORD OF CAUTION:

Please do not use this information to diagnose individual cases. Every case is unique and needs professional help to both diagnose and treament.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure is the force the blood exerts on the artery walls whilst travelling through

CARDIAC CYCLE

The complete round of cardiac systole and diastole with the intervals between, or commencing with, any event in the heart's action to the moment when that same event is repeated.

DIASTOLE

Diastolic pressure is the time at which ventricular contraction occurs.

ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

There is no apparent single cause for the rise in blood pressure.

HEART

OBESITY

A condition characterized by excessive bodily fat

The heart is a hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions.

SYSTOLE

Systolic pressure is the time at which ventricular contraction occurs.

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