Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common causal factor for cardio-vascular illnesses. High blood pressure is the key cause of strokes and heart attacks. High blood pressure is the force of blood which pushes against the artery walls. When the force is high, it is known as high blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage the walls of your arteries, just in the way the too much water can damage the pipe or hose it is rushing through.

High blood pressure can be measured as systolic anddiastolic. Both are represented in numbers. The first, which is systolic is normally higher than the diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and lets the blood in. The rate at which the heart pumps the blood. Diastolic pressure is when the heart rests between beats.

Normal reading of blood pressure is at 120/80. Any variation on the higher side indicates high blood pressure. For instance, a reading of 160/90 indicates high blood pressure. Blood pressure varies after activity, for instance, exercising. This is quite normal and until the heart beats normalize, the pressure remains high. However, if the blood pressure remains high and does not return to normal, then medical treatment is required. Apart from a stroke continuously high blood pressure can damage the arterial walls, other organs, such as kidneys, eyes, and brain damage. Those who have readings of 180/120 need immediate medical attention or treatment. This is known as malignant hypertension.

High blood pressure or hypertension is referred to as ‘the silent killer’. If left untreated it can lead to heart attacks or long term fatal organ damage, such as kidney failure. It can lead to breathlessness and suffocation.

Causes

High blood pressure can be caused by excessive salt. Other factors include obesity; stress; less quantities of essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium or calcium; diabetes; and chronic alcohol consumption. These are direct contributors and causes of hypertension.

Hypertension can also be caused by kidney disease. Tumours and hormonal disorders can also cause high blood pressure. Birth control medication; pregnancy medication and medicines which constrict blood vessels; dietary supplements that contain estrogen are said to cause high blood pressure.

Treatment

Treatment of high blood pressure can be bother preventative and curative. It involves medication and changes in diet and lifestyle. Preventative measures include a healthy diet; exercise and quitting smoking and alcohol and reducing salt intake.  Curative measures include medicines which work as blockers, inhibitors,anddiuretics among others.