Conditions

HYPERTENSION

Do I have hypertension?

Blood pressure is the force of blood flowing through the blood vessels. Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 mmHg. Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, is when this force is too high. High blood pressure is anything above 130 over 80 mmHg. If left uncontrolled may lead to serious complications and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Hypertension usually develops over time and is a long-term, chronic illness. It is determined by the amount of blood pumped by the heart as well as the resistance in the arteries. High blood pressure is a common condition, which, fortunately, can be easily detected and treated by your physician.

How does one develop hypertension?

For most people the cause of hypertension is unknown, but for some hypertension may be a complication of an underlying condition such as obstructive sleep apnoea, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid problems and certain medications such as birth control, cold and flu medications and decongestants.

Those at risk for developing high blood pressure include those with a family history of the condition, those who are above the age of 60, overweight or obese, smoke, are highly stressed, drink alcohol excessively and have a high sodium diet. In some cases, pregnancy may contribute to high blood pressure.

Treatment options

Lifestyle factors are the best way to address high blood pressure. Treatment is aimed at managing blood pressure, keeping it stable and reducing the risk of its related health complications.

Lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce high blood pressure include a healthy diet, regular physical exercise and avoiding stress, or developing strategies for managing unavoidable stress. In addition, medications such as diuretics, calcium-channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, beta or alpha-blockers can be used to treat hypertension.