Do You Clearly Understand Your Hypertension?
Author: Ashish Jain

Today's stressful life has given us many health problems and
`Hypertension' is one of them, which is also known by the names
like `arterial hypertension' and `high blood pressure'. Not only
heart related diseases like heart failure, heart attacks and
strokes can be a result of hypertension but it has also been
found to contribute towards other very serious (chronic)
diseases such as kidney (renal) failure and arterial aneurysm.

There are two types of hypertension: essential hypertension,
which can be caused from no clear reason, and secondary
hypertension, which normally happens because of a certain reason
such as kidney failure or surgery.

Normally physicians consider blood pressure reading of 120/80
mmHg, as a normal blood pressure. And if the blood pressure
reading is between the normal range and 139/89 mmHg, it is
called `pre-hypertension' , which is considered to be a `warning
flag'. However, if a person is already suffering from
hypertension, the situation may grow worse in the later case.
But the facts stated earlier are not proven, experts are not
united in their opinion. For some, the normal blood pressure is
115/75 while for others the stage of pre-hypertension is not a
disease but a level where risk of hypertension can be developed.

It is also seen that the patients of diabetes (mellitus) and
kidney problems with a blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg mostly
suffer from high blood pressure. Not everybody would come to
know this because blood pressure taken at home normally comes
out to be lower than when it is measured at the doctor's clinic
or hospital.

The disease has almost no physical presence on the patient. For
there may be the cases wherein the person whose blood pressure
is under 240/120 will not show any signs of hypertension. And
this is specifically the reason for which it is usually
discovered 'by accident' and thus called as `The Silent Killer'.

Some symptoms like headache, blurred vision and damage of
internal organ may indicate that the person is suffering from
hypertension as well. It is thus always advisable to monitor
your blood pressure regularly.

Take the blood pressure readings at least one hour after
drinking or eating products containing caffeine, 30 minutes
after smoking and when the sufferer is in light or humorous
mood.

It is usually seen that weight loss and regular physical
exercise are recommended during the treatment of hypertension
but the consultation of doctor should be taken before one
resorts to medication even in case of pre-hypertension.

A little change in diet is also advisable, which may include a
rise in the intake of calcium and fruit and avoiding smoking, as
it contributes to hypertension and increases the risk of stroke
and heart related problems. In addition to the oral medication,
which is normally given to the patient for the purpose of rest,
the range of herbal/homeopathic treatments are also available in
the market that can be taken on the prescription of your
physician.

Hypertension may be caused because of the sodium (salt)
intolerance and sleep disorder (apnea). If a person takes
alcohol in excess or is overweight, he can suffer from sleep
apnea (characterized by waking frequently at night and
excessive, loud snoring). The patient can control his blood
pressure level by merely using less salt in the food and getting
a good night sleep, which is not easy for the persons who are
suffering from sleep apnea.

If treated carefully, at an early stage and by bringing minor
changes in one's present lifestyle, one can control the level of
high blood pressure.

About The Author: To get more information visit
http://www.blood- pressure- updates.com/ bp/magazine/ edition/High- Blood-Pressure. htm,
http://www.blood- pressure- updates.com/ bp/magazine/ edition/Low- Blood-Pressure. htm
and
http://www.blood- pressure- updates.com/ bp/magazine/ edition/Blood- Pressure- Tests.htm