the doctor

December 23, 2009 | By admin |

Common features

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often referred to as “the silent disease” because it has no symptoms until it reaches an advanced state. Very often, it was noticed during an average visit a doctor or high blood pressure screening program. Even then, some measurements may need to make a specific diagnosis of hypertension, which is defined as blood pressure that is constantly raised in what is considered normal.

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the vessel wall. It is measured by using a simple technique called a sphygmomanometer, which consists of an inflatable prepared goes around the upper arm and a column of mercury or a pressure dial. When the cuff is inflated, it tightens around the arms and shortly blocks blood flow through the main artery of the arm. As the cuff is slowly released, the person taking the blood pressure uses a stethoscope to listen to the returning blood flow. A sound signal the maximum force that occurs in heart beat. This is the systolic pressure, the higher of two numbers in a reading of blood pressure. The second or lower number, defined as diastolic pressure, reflects the minimum amount of pressure, which occurs between heartbeats.

Blood Pressure Everyone’s vary during the course of a day. As was expected, it is often less when resting or engaged in quiet activities, and it can squirt up during a sudden burst of activity, like running to catch a bus or exercise. Age also affects blood pressure, it is less geerally children and slow-rises we become older. Although some disagreement over how high is high, the average normal blood pressure for healthy children is about 90/60, while normal adult average ranges from 100 / 85 to 135/90. The diastolic pressure of over 95 within a healthy otherwise adult is considered to be suspiciously high and reading 140/100 usually diagnosed as hypertension should be treated. Many experts think that any diastolic pressure is always above 95 should be treated.

Causes of hypertension

It is estimated that more than 35 million Americans have hypertension. Large majority of cases, the cause of high pressure is unknown. Doctors refer to the most common form of the disease as primary or essential hypertension. There are some unusual circumstances, however, where high blood pressure can cause kidney disease, lung or some other identifiable cause. This is called secondary hypertension, and available to the common underlying factor is the cure high blood pressure.

While the main cause of hypertension is unknown, a number of factors appear to increase the risk of developing it. Includes a family history of high blood pressure or strokes from an early age, cigarette smoking, obesity and excessive use of salt. Altering or avoiding the risk that things will not really prevent hypertension, but all are thought to play some role. Cutting salt intake, stopping smoking or losing weight can be enough to prevent borderline high blood pressure from developing hypertension in Franklin. This is particularly true for adolescents or children aged that the blood pressure may be on the higher end of normal range.

Treatment of Hypertension

In the last few years, dozens of very effective antihypertensive drugs were developed with real revolutionized the treatment of this disease. At one time, the only available treatment for high blood pressure is surgery, which is not very effective, or a severe restriction of salt intake, which in some cases mean living on a diet of almost all fruit and rice. Now, most cases of high blood pressure brought under control with drugs, which can be prescribed individually or in combination.

There are three main categories of antihypertensive drugs:

* Diuretics “water pills,” which rid the body of excess salt and reduce the amount of blood must be pumped through narrow blood vessels, relieving some pressure on them.

* Beta blockers and other agents, which act on the nervous system to stem the flow of impulses from the brain that cause blood vessels to constrict or working elsewhere to block their effects .

* Vasodilators that act directly on muscles in blood vessel walls, allowing them to relax and expand, or “sport.”

In addition, re class of drugs, known as reninaxis blockers, recently became available that interferes with formation of a strong vessel-constricting element to the body and also the actions of the hormone aldosterone, which causes the body to maintain and salt water.

Since many antihypertensive drugs and combinations, an effective treatment that lowers blood pressure with a minimum of undesirable effects almost always be found. May, if you experience a side effect such as unusual fatigue, dizziness or faintness status, depression or any other not good sign that you think may be related to your antihypertensive drugs, the report to your doctor. This may be only temporary, or it may be something that can be remedied by altering lifestyle. In any case, remember that treatment is usually for life. The drug will keep high blood pressure under control, but they do not cure the disease. If you stop taking the drug, the blood pressure returns to its previous level or go even higher. Therefore, it is particularly important to follow the instructions of your doctor and that you will return for periodic checks.

Summing Up

High blood pressure is the most common serious illness in the United States. When tested, however, most cases are brought under control by use of antihypertensive drugs, and if appropriate, through life-style changes such as stopping smoking or losing excess weight. Treatment is usually for life, but if high blood pressure brought down to normal and stay there, the patient could expect to live a normal life without significant interference in day-to-day activities.