HYPERTENSION AND HEART ATTACK

What is High Blood Pressure(Hypertension)?

High blood pressure, sometimes called hypertension, means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. It does not mean excess emotional stress, though doctors’ believe that stress might contribute to high blood pressure over a longer period of time.

Your blood pressure rises and falls with each heartbeat, even normal blood pressure does this. These levels can change with everyday activity, for example, during exercise or when you are asleep and this is also normal. However, in some people, and as we get older, these changes in blood pressure start to happen at higher pressure levels than normal and this is what high blood pressure means.

• Your blood pressure is usually measured with a blood pressure cuff placed around the upper arm that registers the pressure in units called millimetres of mercury (or mm Hg).
• Your blood pressure is usually considered to be high when it is at a level exceeding 140/90 mm Hg (“140 over 90”) on several readings under various conditions. However, defining normal and abnormal is not always so clear-cut and your doctor or healthcare professional will make the necessary recommendations.
• Blood pressure rises and falls with each heartbeat. Systolic blood pressure, the higher number, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and sends blood into the circulation. Diastolic pressure, the lower number, occurs as the heart relaxes following a beat. It represents the lowest pressure to which the arteries are exposed between heartbeats.

How do you get High Blood Pressure?

No specific cause is found in 95% of patients with hypertension – this is called primary hypertension or sometimes essential hypertension.

• Most patients have primary, or essential hypertension. Most cases of primary hypertension are due to increased stiffness and narrowing of the smaller (peripheral) arteries.
• This results in increased resistance to the flow of blood and is what makes the blood pressure go up.
• Increased peripheral artery resistance is associated with genetics (family history), obesity, lack of exercise, over use of salt, and the natural ageing process.
• A few patients have high blood pressure with a known cause (secondary hypertension). Long-lasting (chronic) kidney disease accounts for most of these patients where there is excessive fluid accumulation in the body that raises blood pressure. Hypertension can also occur during some pregnancies.

How long does High Blood Pressure last?

High blood pressure may be present for several years before it is detected and is often found during a routine check-up, for example, for insurance purposes. Usually there are no symptoms and consequences may only become apparent after many years.

Untreated high blood pressure leads to a higher risk of suffering from a stroke & heart disease

It is rare these days for blood pressure to be so high as to pose an immediate threat to life. In almost all cases, the problem with blood pressure is that over time it can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels and this may affect the function of the heart, eyes, and kidney. Again, over time it can affect the larger arteries as well and contribute to hardening of the arteries.

This explains why people with untreated high blood pressure have a higher risk of suffering from a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, hardening of the arteries, eye and kidney problems.For this reason it is important that treatment with a blood pressure lowering medicine is given for a long period of time, which in most cases is for life.

And, because blood pressure tends to go up as you get older anyway, it means we should have our blood pressure checked regularly, even if our blood pressure is ‘normal’.