High Blood Pressure Factors
While the cause of high blood pressure, in the majority of cases, is unknown. This type of high blood pressure is called as “primary or essential hypertension” and also ninety five percent of sufferers, more than 70 million Americans, have “primary or essential Hypertension”.
Normal blood pressure has a reading below 120/80. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is referred to as “pre-hypertension”. High blood pressure has a reading of 140/90 or above.
However some of the contributing factors to high blood pressure are known.
Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of plaque along the walls of the arteries is one of contributing factor. Another is the thickening of the artery wall and yet another contributing factor for high blood pressure is small arteries.
The other causes are not a single underlying problem but a combination of various reasons that have been concluded to be the causes of high blood pressure are:
Too excess alcohol – Alcohol also has a definite part in your blood pressure. This has been included in so many medical studies, that the higher the alcohol consumption, the higher the blood pressure. However similar reports have also shown that moderate drinkers seem to have a lower blood pressure than non drinkers.
Moderation is the key.
Excess salt – Now there is little doubt that salt intake is a direct effect on blood pressure. Both this and the ingestion of dietary potassium are found to have adverse effects on a person’s health.
High salt ingestion is considered to be anything more than 5.8 grams per day.
Diet and Being Overweight – Obesity is also a major problem. Overweight people are more liable to have a higher blood pressure than their slim counterpart. The heart and other vital organs have to keep working harder which will cause added strain.
Stress – In the office or home.
The two most important and affecting factors are high salt ingestion and genetic tendencies. The 1st is easily controlled, for the 2nd, diligent monitoring is solution.
The only true way of ascertaining whether you have high blood pressure or not is simply by having it checked by a doctor or even self monitored at home. This is a simple procedure and every adult really should have their blood pressure taken at least on an annual basis if not more often.
Secondary Hypertension
There are quite a few cases of high blood pressure that the underlying problem from which it stems is known. This type of high blood pressure is known as ‘secondary hypertension’.
Secondary hypertension is said to be caused by kidney abnormality, a tumor or tumors in the adrenal gland, or a congenital defect of the aorta. Treating the underlying cause will usually return the high blood pressure back to standard.
Unfortunately of all high blood pressure patients only just 5 percent of people with high blood pressure have ‘secondary hypertension’
Getting nutritious lifestyle habits is an essential and useful in both preventing and maintaining high blood pressure. Changes in lifestyle alone, however, may not be enough it may be necessary to take blood pressure medications.
This entry was posted on Monday, November 28th, 2011 at 11:26 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.