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

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

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)

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

| High Blood Pressure | Heart Disease | Kidney Disease | Chest Pain | ACE Inhibitor | Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) | Beta Blocker | Calcium Channel Blocker | Tekturna (Aliskiren) | Altace (Ramipril) | Atenolol (Tenormin) | Hydrochlorothiazide | Coreg (Carvedilol) | Lasix (furosemide) | Cardiomyopathy | Preeclampsia | Low Blood Pressure | Circulatory System | Dizziness | Blood | Arrhythmia | Heart Attack | Coronary Heart Disease | Heart Failure | Hemophilia | Atrial Fibrillation | High Cholesterol | Relaxation Techniques