Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) - Information on Hypertension causes, symptoms and treatment drugs : Fine Generics

Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when blood is forced through the arteries at an increased pressure. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The first figure is the systolic blood pressure which refers to the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts (beats) and pushes blood out into the body. The second figure is the diastolic blood pressure . This is the minimum pressure in the arteries between beats when the heart relaxes to fill with blood. The systolic pressure is always listed first, then the diastolic pressure. A typical normal blood pressure reading would be 120/80 mmHg.

Classification of high blood pressure: There is a natural tendency for blood pressure to rise with age due to the reduced elasticity of the arterial system. Age is therefore one of the factors that needs to be taken into account in deciding whether a person's blood pressure is too high. In general terms, people with a systolic blood pressure consistently above 160mmHg and/or a diastolic pressure over 100mmHg need treatment to lower their blood pressure. In case of people with slightly lower blood pressures (140-159mmHg systolic or 90-99mmHg diastolic), treatment is required if they have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease, e.g. stroke or angina (chest pains).

Symptoms of high blood pressure: One of the big problems with high blood pressure is that it hardly ever causes symptoms. Most of the time it may go unnoticed until it causes one of its later complications such as a stroke or heart attack. At times, severe hypertension can cause symptoms such as headache, sleepiness, confusion and coma.

Signs of hypertension: Hypertension may be suspected when the blood pressure is high at any single measurement. It is confirmed through blood pressure measurements that are repeated over time. Blood pressure consistently elevated over 140 systolic or 90 diastolic is called hypertension. Systolic blood pressure consistently between 130 and 139 or diastolic blood pressure consistently between 80 and 89 is called pre-hypertension. Your doctor will recommend and encourage lifestyle changes including weight loss, exercise, and nutritional changes.

Causes of hypertension: For more than 90 per cent of people with high blood pressure, the cause is unknown. This is called 'primary' or 'essential hypertension'. In the remaining 10 per cent or so, there is an underlying cause. This is called 'secondary hypertension'. Some of the main causes for secondary hypertension are chronic kidney diseases, diseases in the arteries supplying the kidneys, chronic alcohol abuse , hormonal disturbances and endocrine tumors.

Treatments: The goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure to a level where there is decreased risk of complications. Treatment may occur at home with close supervision by the health care provider, or may occur in the hospital. Medications may include diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or alpha blockers. Medications such as hydralazine, minoxidil, diazoxide, or nitroprusside may be required if the blood pressure is very high.