Hypertension |
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DESCRIPTION
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Hypertension (hi-per-TEN-shun) is another name for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measure of the force the blood puts on the walls of veins, arteries, and the heart. There are 2 parts to a blood pressure reading. One is called systolic (sis-TAHL-ic). It is the first number in a blood pressure reading. The other is called diastolic (DI-as-tahl-ic). It is the second number in the reading. For example: in the reading of 120/80, 120 is the systolic number, and 80 is the diastolic number. The systolic (first) number tells you how hard the blood is pushing against the walls of the arteries, veins, and heart when the heart is pumping blood (during a heartbeat). The diastolic (second) number gives the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. A good systolic number is between 100 and 140 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). For some people, a number between 80 and 100 is normal. A good diastolic number is usually lower than 90 mm Hg. Your doctor can tell you what is normal for you. If the systolic number is higher than 140 or the diastolic number is higher than 90, you are said to have high blood pressure. Only one of the numbers needs to be high. For example, you have high blood pressure if your reading is 120/98, because even though the first number (systolic) is normal, the second (diastolic) number is high. Likewise, you have a problem if your reading is 180/88, where the first number is high even though the second is not.
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CAUSES
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Often there is no specific cause. Some illnesses that can cause high blood pressure are kidney or other organ problems, pregnancy, or taking drugs.
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CARE
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You may need to take medicine to lower your blood pressure. If so, take it as directed and do not stop taking it unless you are told to by your doctor. If there is another illness causing your high blood pressure, that illness will be treated also.
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COMPLICATIONS
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s Millions of Americans who have high blood pressure and don't know it. High blood pressure is often called ""the silent killer'' because often it has no symptoms. Without treatment, however, it can lead to heart disease, a stroke, kidney failure, or a heart attack. With treatment to keep your blood pressure under control, there is less chance of having these problems.
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