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• Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a potentially dangerous condition that affects nearly one out of every three adults in the United States. Hypertension is defined as having a systolic blood pressure of 140mm Hg or above and a diastolic blood pressure of 90mm Hg or above. High blood pressure can put you at risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.NHLBI: What Is High Blood Pressure? American Heart Association: What is High Blood Pressure

  The types of treatments for hypertension vary, but all include the eventual goal of lowering blood pressure to a healthy level of 120/80 or lower. Treatment may include a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Patients undergoing treatment for hypertension may be advised to monitor their blood pressure at home, to ensure that it is under control.American Heart Association: Home Monitoring of High Blood Pressure

• Fast Facts

  1. Also called: High blood pressure
  2. Type of ailment: Coronary
  3. Duration: Chronic
  4. Common medication or therapy: Lifestyle changes and medications
  5. Medications may include ACE inhibitors, diuretics, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators and renin inhibitorsMayoClinic.com: High blood pressure (hypertension): Treatments and Drugs WebMD: [http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-
  6. Cause: Unusually high diastolic and systolic blood pressures

• Hypertension Symptoms

  Hypertension has been called the "silent killer" because a majority of people who have it have no symptoms, particularly in the early stages of the disease. Some of the symptoms of extremely high blood pressure include:

  • Dizziness
  • Severe headaches
  • Chest pain
  • Arrhythmia
  • Blood in the urine
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Vision problemsWebMD: High Blood Pressure Symptoms

• United States Statistics

  1. Affects 72 million people worldwideCBS News: Hypertension Treatment Shows Promise (February 20, 2009)
  2. One in three Americans has high blood pressureNHLBI: What Is High Blood Pressure?
  3. Responsible for one out of every eight deathsCBS News: Hypertension Treatment Shows Promise (February 20, 2009)

• Disclaimer

  The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a physician for information on hypertension.

  
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