High Blood Pressure Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" because despite being one of the most common fatal conditions worldwide, most people are unaware they have the condition because it presents with very few or no symptoms.

Diagnosis is therefore often not made until the disease has progressed enough to cause symptoms, at which stage it often has life threatening outcomes such as stroke. Because of the lack of specific symptoms, adults should have their blood pressure measured every five years.

Blood pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted against the walls of blood vessels as the heart pumps blood through them. An increased blood pressure means too much strain is being placed on the artery walls which can lead to complications such as a stroke, kidney damage or heart attack.

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) using an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. There are two numerical figures of blood pressure - the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the higher figure and indicates the pressure of the blood when the heart beats.

Diastolic pressure is the lower figure and indicates the pressure of the blood when the heart rests between two beats. A normal blood pressure level is one of around 120/80 mm Hg while a pressure over 140/90 mm Hg is considered high.

Risk factors and symptoms

The risk of hypertension is increased in people who are overweight or obese, those of African or Caribbean origin and those with a diet high in salt but low in fresh fruits and vegetables. People who do not get enough exercise, who smoke or drink too much alcohol or who are aged over 65 years are also at an increased risk. High blood pressure also runs in families.

Diagnosis and treatment

Hypertension is measured using a sphygmomanometer which may be used to regularly monitor the blood pressure level in someone who is diagnosed with the condition. There are several groups of antihypertensive medication that can be used to control blood pressure.

Over time, high blood pressure can damage organs such as the kidneys, eyes and brain and these are routinely examined for hypertension-induced damage.

Further Reading

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2023

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Mandal, Ananya. (2023, July 17). High Blood Pressure Hypertension. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 15, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/High-Blood-Pressure-Hypertension.aspx.

  • MLA

    Mandal, Ananya. "High Blood Pressure Hypertension". News-Medical. 15 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/High-Blood-Pressure-Hypertension.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Mandal, Ananya. "High Blood Pressure Hypertension". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/High-Blood-Pressure-Hypertension.aspx. (accessed October 15, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Mandal, Ananya. 2023. High Blood Pressure Hypertension. News-Medical, viewed 15 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/High-Blood-Pressure-Hypertension.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Breast arterial calcifications on mammograms may indicate higher cardiovascular risk