Hypertension (also high blood pressure) is a condition in which blood circulates within the body, at a pressure/force clinically considered too high and dangerous to wellbeing, and a blood pressure reading of 119/79 mmHg is considered normal, while blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg is clinically considered as the high blood pressure marker.
Pre-hypertension occurs at any point between the range (120-139)/(80-89) mmHg and anyone with a blood pressure reading within this range is at risk of developing hypertension.
When the blood pressure reading is so high (usually above 180/120 mmHg), it results in a medical emergency known as Hypertensive Crisis, which may result in organ damage.
If prolonged, hypertension can lead to serious long term complications like a stroke and heart failure, due to clogged arteries which can rupture and nutrients/oxygen which aren't getting to the cells of organs.
What Causes Hypertension?
Concerning the causes of hypertension, let's start by making it clear that hypertension can be essential/primary or secondary, and that blood pressure rises with aging, along with the tendency to be hypertensive. A healthy lifestyle and preventive medication can minimize the effects of this kind of hypertension.
Physiologically, an elevated blood pressure is either due to a higher cardiac output (the force with which the heart pumps) or an increased peripheral resistance (the resistance arteries provide to blood flow).
Arteries are lined internally by thin/fine smooth muscles, and an elevated blood pressure causes the smooth muscles to thicken up causing more restriction, that further raises the blood pressure.
Any factor that induces an initial rise in blood pressure will lead to a continual increase, if it's not checked before it gets out of hand.
Primary hypertension occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental/lifestyle factors. Excessive salt consumption and physical inactivity are good examples.
Obesity, Kidney diseases, excessive alcohol intake and endocrine disorders are common identifiable causes of secondary hypertension in individuals.
People with a higher amount of stored fat, have an increased amount of blood vessels, and so blood has to travel a longer distance. Plus, the arteries are under more strain due to surrounding fatty tissue.
There's also a relationship between alcohol intake and a rise in blood pressure. Though the effects are short lived, normalizing within hours to a few days, an excessive and continual intake of alcohol in short intervals, can keep blood pressure levels high enough to cause damage.
Another cause is physical inactivity. Though physical activity initially raises blood pressure, it's effect is short lived and helps to strengthen the heart. It also helps to keep in shape.
Hypertensive individuals should only perform physical activities with a doctors permission.
Treating hypertension, is possible with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication use.
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