Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure. Every time the human heart beats, it pumps blood to the whole body through the arteries. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the blood vessel walls. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump
Hypertension may be classified as Essential/Primary & secondary. Essential/Primary hypertension is the term for high blood pressure with unknown cause. It accounts for about 95% of cases.
Secondary hypertension is the term for high blood pressure with a known direct cause, such as kidney disease, tumors, or birth control pills.
Normal level for Blood Pressure
The normal level for blood pressure is below 120/80, where 120 represents the systolic measurement (peak pressure in the arteries) and 80 represents the diastolic measurement (minimum pressure in the arteries).
Blood Pressure Levels in Adults (Ages 18 Years and Older)
| Blood Pressure Level (mmHg) | |||
| Category | Systolic | Diastolic | |
| Normal | < 120 | and | < 80 |
| Prehypertension | 120-139 | or | 80-89 |
| High Blood Pressure | |||
| Stage 1 Hypertension | 140–159 | or | 90–99 |
| Stage 2 Hypertension | ≥ 160 | or | ≥ 100 |
Causes
Though the exact causes of hypertension are usually unknown, there are several factors that have been highly associated with the condition.
This are smoking, obesity or being overweight, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, high levels of salt intake (sodium sensitivity),insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption, vitamin D deficiency, high levels of alcohol consumption, stress, aging, medicines such as birth control pills, genetics and a family history of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, adrenal and thyroid problems or tumors etc.
Outcomes of Hypertension:
Hypertension causes renal failure (kidney failure),aneurysm, heart failure, stroke,& heart attack