High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.

Blood pressure measurement is inexpensive and easily performed. Blood pressure is measured in two phases that correspond to the natural contractions of the heart. When the heart contracts (e.g., systole), the pressure of blood against arterial walls is known as systolic pressure. When it relaxes (diastole), the pressure of blood against arterial walls is known as diastolic pressure.

    

• 120/80 mm/Hg or lower is normal blood pressure
• 140/90 mm/Hg or higher is high blood pressure
• Between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number is prehypertension

The symptoms ofhigh blood pressure may include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and ringing or buzzing in ears. Life style changes are effective in managing hypertension like limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly, reduce intake of sodium and maintain recommended dietary intake of potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Video of High Blood Pressure

Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highbloodpressure.html