Learn the Truth About High Blood Pressure

By: Darrin Reservitz

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major health problem affecting millions of Americans. Despite its scope, not many people know that much about high blood pressure. What causes high blood pressure? What are hypertension symptoms? How is it diagnosed? Why should high blood pressure worry me? The purpose of this article is to answer these questions so you can start on the road of the healthy heart.

How Do You Define High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is simply the pressure exerted by the blood as it moves through the arteries. Blood pressure numbers look like those fractions you studied in elementary school. For example, take 120/80. One hundred twenty is known as systolic. Systolic is the pressure that occurs as the heart pumps the blood. On the bottom is 80. It’s called diastolic. It’s the pressure between heart beats. High blood pressure occurs when these numbers are elevated and there’s excess pressure. One forty over ninety and up is considered high blood pressure.

Is There a Simple Way to Determine if My Blood Pressure is High?

Unfortunately, there are often no hypertension symptoms. Consequently, around 30% of people who have hypertension don’t know it. So, at least bi-annually, get your blood pressure measured. And the measurement is quick, simple, and pain free. The nurse places an inflatable band over your arm. He or she pumps it up and reads the pressure from a blood pressure meter. It’s entirely possible that you’ve seen blood pressure equipment at your local pharmacist.

Is High Blood Pressure an Issue That I Should Concern Myself With?

For starters, high blood pressure can wreak havoc on your arteries. Think about water going through a fire hose. If the water pressure is too great, it can harm the hose. The consequences of this occurrence can prove devastating. They include strokes, heart attacks, and harm to the kidneys. Really, high blood pressure can put your life, or those of your loved ones, at risk! That’s why you need to be not only aware of high blood pressure, but also the causes of it so you can keep your pressure in check.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Stress is one of several high blood pressure causes. And, as we all know, stress can play a major part in life. In addition, salt can aggravate blood pressure. So can alcohol, and tobacco. Also, obesity can play a role. Unfortunately, many of these high blood pressure causes come together. In other words, the same people who are overweight often also, for example, consume foods high in sodium.

As you can see, high blood pressure causes are legion. Further, this malady could affect you and should concern you given the risks to your health overall, your heart and your life. Thus, find out what your blood pressure is and further your learning so you can control it.

Article Source: http://www.bigfreearticles.com

{{{What you need to know about high blood pressure. It can help save your life.|Must read information about hypertension. Your life could depend on it!|Interested in managing your blood pressure? Then this article is for you.}}

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Top 4 ways to choose the best blood pressure monitor. Go to http://helpmybloodpressure.com/how-to-choose-the-best-blood-pressure-monitor

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