Hypertensive

Hypertensive refers to high blood pressure, a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.

Definition

Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure above 130 mm Hg, a diastolic blood pressure above 80 mm Hg, or both. It is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health problems.

Causes

The exact causes of hypertension are not known, but several factors and conditions may play a role in its development, including:

• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Lack of physical activity
• Too much salt in the diet
• Too much alcohol consumption
• Stress
• Older age
• Genetics
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Adrenal and thyroid disorders

Symptoms

Most people with hypertension have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.

Treatment

Treatment for hypertension includes lifestyle changes and medications. Lifestyle changes can include losing weight, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, reducing the amount of salt in your diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol and managing stress. Medications used to treat high blood pressure include diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and others.

Prevention

Prevention of hypertension involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise, a diet low in salt and high in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.

See also

• Blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney disease

Hypertensive Resources
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