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The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension.
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of
arteries. Blood pressure rises and falls during the day.
When blood pressure stays elevated over time, it is called
high blood pressure. What makes high blood pressure
dangerous is it causes the heart work too hard and
contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are
the first- and third-leading causes of death among
Americans. High blood pressure also can result in other
conditions, such as congestive heart failure, kidney
disease, and blindness.
A blood pressure level of 140/90 mmHg or higher is
considered high. About two-thirds of people over age 65 have
high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is between
120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, then you have prehypertension.
This means that you don't have high blood pressure now but
are likely to develop it in the future. You can take steps
to prevent high blood pressure by adopting a healthy
lifestyle.
Those who do not have high blood pressure at age 55 face a
90 percent chance of developing it during their lifetimes.
So high blood pressure is a condition that many people may
have at some point in their lives.
Both numbers in a blood pressure test are important, but for
people who are 50 or older, systolic pressure gives the most
accurate diagnosis of high blood pressure. Systolic pressure
is the top number in a blood pressure reading. It is high if
it is 140 mmHg or above.
What is systolic blood pressure?
Systolic pressure is the force of blood in the arteries as
the heart beats. It is shown as the top number in a blood
pressure reading. High blood pressure is 140 and higher for
systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure does not need to be
high for you to have high blood pressure. When that happens,
the condition is called "isolated systolic hypertension," or
ISH.
Is isolated systolic high blood pressure common?
Yes. It is the most common form of high blood pressure for
older Americans. For most Americans, systolic blood pressure
increases with age, while diastolic increases until about
age 55 and then declines. About 65 percent of hypertensives
over age 60 have ISH. You may have ISH and feel fine. As
with other types of high blood pressure, ISH often causes no
symptoms. To find out if you have ISH — or any type of high
blood pressure — see your doctor and have a blood pressure
test. The test is quick and painless.
Is isolated systolic high blood pressure dangerous?
Any form of high blood pressure is dangerous if not properly
treated. Both numbers in a blood pressure test are
important, but, for some, the systolic is especially
meaningful. That's because, for those persons middle aged
and older, systolic pressure gives a better diagnosis of
high blood pressure.
If left uncontrolled, high systolic pressure can lead to
stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney
damage, blindness, or other conditions. While it cannot be
cured once it has developed, ISH can be controlled.
Clinical studies have proven that treating a high systolic
pressure saves lives, greatly reduces illness, and improves
the quality of life. Yet, most Americans do not have their
high systolic pressure under control.
Does it require special treatment?
Treatment options for ISH are the same as for other types of
high blood pressure, in which both systolic and diastolic
pressures are high. ISH is treated with lifestyle changes
and/or medications. The key for any high blood pressure
treatment is to bring the condition under proper control.
Blood pressure should be controlled to less than 140/90
mmHg. If yours is not, then ask your doctor why. You may
just need a lifestyle or drug change, such as reducing salt
in your diet or adding a second medication.
What is diastolic blood pressure?
Diastolic pressure is the force of blood in the arteries as
the heart relaxes between beats. It's shown as the bottom
number in a blood pressure reading.
The diastolic blood pressure has been and remains,
especially for younger people, an important hypertension
number. The higher the diastolic blood pressure the greater
the risk for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. As
people become older, the diastolic pressure will begin to
decrease and the systolic blood pressure begins to rise and
becomes more important. A rise in systolic blood pressure
will also increase the chance for heart attacks, strokes,
and kidney failure. Your physician will use both the
systolic and the diastolic blood pressure to determine your
blood pressure category and appropriate prevention and
treatment activities.
What Are Some
of the Effects of High Blood Pressure?
Stroke
High blood pressure is the most important risk factor
for stroke. Very high pressure can cause a break in a
weakened blood vessel, which then bleeds in the brain.
This can cause a stroke. If a blood clot blocks one of
the narrowed arteries, it can also cause a stroke.
Impaired Vision
High blood pressure can eventually cause blood vessels
in the eye to burst or bleed. Vision may become blurred
or otherwise impaired and can result in blindness.
Arteries
As people get older, arteries throughout the body
"harden," especially those in the heart, brain, and
kidneys. High blood pressure is associated with these
"stiffer" arteries. This, in turn, causes the heart and
kidneys to work harder.
Kidney Damage
The kidneys act as filters to rid the body of wastes.
Over time, high blood pressure can narrow and thicken
the blood vessels of the kidneys. The kidneys filter
less fluid, and waste builds up in the blood. The
kidneys may fail altogether. When this happens, medical
treatment (dialysis) or a kidney transplant may be
needed.
Heart Attack
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart
attack. The arteries bring oxygen-carrying blood to the
heart muscle. If the heart cannot get enough oxygen,
chest pain, also known as "angina," can occur. If the
flow of blood is blocked, a heart attack results.
Congestive Heart Failure
High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for
congestive heart failure. This is a serious condition in
which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply
the body's needs.
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