High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is measured in numbers based on the systolic and diastolic pressures of the blood. Systolic pressure measures the force in the arteries when the heart beats, while the diastolic pressure measures this force when the heart is at rest or relaxed. These measurements are shown in sequence from top to bottom – the systolic pressure measurement on top and the diastolic pressure measurement at the bottom.

A small, portable instrument called a blood pressure cuff or sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. This consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff and measures the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury. If your reading is 110/70, you don’t have to worry because it is a healthy blood pressure. But if it is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure, it means you have a high blood pressure, and you should seek medical attention.

What causes hypertension? For more than 90% of people with high blood pressure, the cause is unidentifiable. This is referred to as primary or essential hypertension. A secondary hypertension, on the other hand, has underlying causes that include diseases in the arteries, chronic kidney diseases, chronic alcohol abuse, hormonal disturbances and preeclampsia. Certain medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants can cause secondary hypertension.

Many people do not take high blood pressure seriously. But little do they know that this is dangerous, because it causes the heart to work extra hard. You should be aware that the more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure will be. And once this becomes uncontrollable, you increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart attacks and stroke. So, why let this happen if you can do something about it? Only a simple test is needed to detect high blood pressure. Once you know your condition, work with your doctors to control it.

By: Josh Riverside

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arag s asked:


When an artery experiences high blood pressure it has been shown that it contracts. But if contraction increases blood pressure on its own, doesn’t that increase blood pressure even more? Why do arteries contract in response to mechanical stress (high blood pressure)?

Nervosa asked:


So I have moderately high blood pressure. One of my doctors said the only safe contraceptives for me are condoms, but my mom thinks we should get a second opinion. So does anyone know of a safe birth control pill I can take?
Thanks in advance:)

cgarcia asked:


i am 22 weeks due dec 18 09 and i’ve have diabetes and high blood pressure and overweight prepregnancy. will i have to deliver early?

emby62 asked:


my girlfriend has high blood pressure and its been fluctuating all night. does anyone know a quick non prescription way to lower high blood pressure?

jjjkylan asked:


I was going to go check my blood pressure but want to know what is considered to be high. I just wanted to check it because my feet and legs are more swollen then they have been.

Emily asked:


My mom and grandmother both have had “attacks” where their heart would start racing while they were at rest. It resolved after a few minutes. My mom’s doctor said it was probably due to stress. I asked her if she had caffeine before the attack, but she couldn’t remember. The only med that they are both on is high blood pressure pills. Any one else have this problem?

Having a systolic pressure of 160 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 100 or higher, or possessing both readings to be high; you have stage 2 high blood pressure. In such scenarios, you will most likely require to take a minimum of at least two common medications upon starting your treatment.

Similarly to stage 1 hypertension, you will be most likely to be prescribed a thiazide diuretic. Excess water and sodium are eliminated from your body by the thiazide diuretic. This will effectively lower your blood pressure. Together with the diuretic, you might also be recommended to take:

A calcium channel blocker: Due to this drug being used, calcium cannot go to both the heart and the blood vessel muscle cells. This allows the cells to stay relax and thus reduce the blood pressure.

An ACE inhibitor: By inhibiting the production of the hormone that causes blood vessels to shrink, this drug aids to keep the blood vessels relax.

A beta blocker: This drug work by lowering the nerve signals to the heart and blood vessels thus reducing the blood pressure.

An angiotensin II receptor blocker: Expands blood vessels by stopping a hormone called Angiotensin from affecting the vessels.

When your blood pressure increase dramatically, it is crucial to lower it rapidly in order to prevent or delay the complications. A two-drug combination generally works faster as compared to a single drug to get your blood pressure under control.

Similarly to Stage 1 Hypertension, a double medication combo also protects the patient against heart disease, kidney failure and stroke. In some cases, a third, or more, medication may be needed in order to get your condition under control.

High blood pressure is more often than not present with other health problems. Some of the conditions present might be serious enough to warrant a more aggressive treatment. These conditions are:

-Diabetes

-Heart failure

-Chronic kidney disease

-Previous heart attack

-High risk of coronary artery disease

-Enlarged left chamber of the heart (left ventricular hypertrophy)

-Previous stroke

By having Hypertension, you have a greater risk of contracting any of the conditions in the above list. Thus, if you already have one or more of these conditions plus high blood pressure, your chances of developing a life-threatening complication increases. Therefore, a more forceful treatment might be needed in order to reduce your risk of getting these complications.

You might be prescribed specific high blood pressure medications to treat these conditions, as well as additional medications for your high blood pressure. Example: Beta blockers might be prescribed for your chest pain (Angina), these drugs also work to lower your blood pressure, prevent chest pain, reduce your heart rate and reduce your risk of death.

Taking both a thiazide diuretic and an ACE inhibitor can decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke if you have both diabetes and high blood pressure. However if you have diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease, you might require an additional medicine to be added to the cocktail such as an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

By: Alvin Hopkinson

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Before I get into explaining the dangers of high diastolic blood pressure, let me offer you a little background on how your body circulates blood. Every time your heart beats, it pushes blood into your blood vessel system (arteries, capillaries and veins are types of blood vessels). Your blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the wall of your arteries during this process.

Blood pressure is highest when the heart beats. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart’s at rest, between beats, your pressure drops to its lowest level. This is the diastolic pressure.

If you’ve ever visited your doctor, you know that when he takes your blood pressure, he’ll always report the reading using both of these numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. The systolic pressure is the first or top number, and the diastolic pressure is the second or bottom number. If your reading is 120/80, your doctor will likely tell you “120 over 80″.

Now, the catch with high diastolic blood pressure is that only one of these numbers needs to be high for you to have hypertension. If they’re both high, well, that’s generally a little more concerning. But a high diastolic blood pressure can be particularly concerning for younger people. Research has shown that it’s an important risk indicator for heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and other serious conditions.

For those people above the age of 55, the diastolic pressure will naturally begin to decrease, while the systolic pressure usually begins to rise and become more important.

But what is a high diastolic blood pressure result? 80 is considered the baseline. When your diastolic reading falls between 80-89, then you’re generally considered to be pre-hypertension and it’s time to start paying attention. If the number goes above 90, then the situation is considered serious enough that efforts should be made to bring it down. Efforts may include changes in your diet, elimination of the stress factors in your life, medication or a combination of all of these.

It’s also important to note here that one high diastolic blood pressure reading does not necessarily indicate high blood pressure.? There are a number of factors that affect a reading. For instance, stress. If you were late for your doctor’s appointment or if you find visiting the doctor to be stressful, these can affect your outcome.

This is why your physician will want to keep a record of your blood pressure readings. In fact, if you have a high reading, he may invited you to return in a few days to do a follow-up reading just to make sure that the first one wasn’t an aberration.

By: Hartmann W. Koenig

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Judy M asked:


My husband has a lot of mucus build-up from sinus problems, but because of high blood pressure has to be careful about taking over-the-counter medications for it. Any suggestions on meds that would be safe for him to take?