Normal Blood Pressure Range Article
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is caused by high tension in the arteries, resulting in a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg. Also known as hypertension, it is most common among the elderly people, inflicting 1 out of every 3 Americans. If not given proper treatment, high blood pressure can develop into heart diseases, stroke, kidney diseases and blindness.
Blood pressure is determined by the speed of blood-flow coming from the heart, and also the tone of the arteries. It is measured by taking the two extreme pressures of a heartbeat, the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. For an average human body, normal blood pressure reading stands at around 120/80 mmHg; 120 being the systolic number which measures the blood pressure when the heart is most expanded, and 80 is the diastolic pressure taken when the heart is most contracted. High blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure reading reaches 140/90 mmHg and beyond.
The causes for high blood pressure are very general, ranging from lifestyle reasons to internal body complications. It cannot be traced to a particular cause, and physicians are still actively researching to draw a conclusion consistent to all patients. Such undefined cases are referred to as primary high blood pressure. As for others, the condition is often caused by complications from other illnesses or medications, and this is known as secondary high blood pressure.
One out of three people with high blood pressure are not even aware of it, because it does not show any specific symptoms. However, there are certain consistencies such as sleeplessness, dry mouths and emotional depression which are at best, only rough indications. Contrary to popular belief, headache is not a common symptom for people with high blood pressure, though many people reported to have experienced it after they are diagnosed positive. It is just a psychological reaction resulting from too much worrying. Other than that having red faces is also not a verified symptom.
High blood pressure is not by itself fatal, but it is the main cause for life-threatening illnesses such as heart diseases, strokes, kidney diseases and blindness. With high blood pressure, chances of getting these diseases are multiplied, three times for a heart disease, seven times for a stroke and six times for heart congestion. Demographically, the age group most threatened by high blood pressure is the elderly people.
There is no better way to counter high blood pressure than early detection and control. For that, a yearly checkup is most ideal for those aged 35 years onwards. It usually takes many years for high blood pressure to develop into a serious menace to the human body. Upon being diagnosed positive, there is still ample time to make an effort to bring it down to normal again, through a change in lifestyle and regular medication.
High blood pressure is a slow and silent killer, accountable for millions of lives around the world. It is best to have it detected as early as possible, so that you can take care of it, before it takes care of you.
