Hypertension

Your blood moves through tubes in your body.

Sometimes the blood pushes too hard. This is called high blood pressure.

You may not feel it at all. Many people do not know they have it. This can be dangerous for your heart and brain.

Some things can make the pressure go up. Eating too much salt is one way. Not moving your body can help too.

Doctors can help you stay well. You can eat healthy food. You can also exercise to stay strong.

Taking medicine can also help. It can keep your body safe. Do you like to run and play?

High blood pressure is also called hypertension. It happens when blood pushes too hard against your artery walls.

Most people do not feel any symptoms. In fact, half of all people do not know they have it.

Doctors use two numbers to measure pressure. The first number is called systolic pressure. The second number is called diastolic pressure. For most adults, a normal resting pressure is under 120 over 80. If the pressure stays at or above 130/80, it is high.

There are two main types of hypertension. Primary hypertension is the most common type. It comes from things like genes or lifestyle. Eating too much salt or not moving enough can raise risk. Secondary hypertension is caused by a clear problem. This might be kidney disease or certain medicines.

High blood pressure can cause many health problems. It can lead to heart failure or a stroke. It can even cause vision loss. You can lower your pressure by losing weight or eating less salt. Doctors can also give you medicine to help.

Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure. It is a long-term condition where blood pushes too hard against artery walls.

This condition is a major cause of early death around the world. It can lead to many serious health problems. These include heart failure, stroke, and even vision loss. It can also cause kidney disease or dementia. Many people do not feel any symptoms at all. In fact, about half of the people who have it do not know it.

Doctors measure blood pressure using two different numbers. The first number is called systolic pressure. The second number is called diastolic pressure. For most adults, a normal resting pressure is under 120/80 mmHg. If the pressure stays at 130/80 mmHg, it is stage 1. If it stays at 140/90 mmHg, it is stage 2.

Doctors can also use a special monitor for 24 hours. This way of checking is often more accurate than a quick office visit. It helps see how pressure changes throughout a whole day.

There are two main ways this condition happens. Most cases, about 90 to 95 percent, are called primary hypertension. This type comes from a mix of genes and lifestyle. Things like eating too much salt or not exercising can increase the risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol are also factors. The other 5 to 10 percent are called secondary hypertension. This type has a clear, identifiable cause. For example, kidney disease or certain medicines can cause it.

High blood pressure affects about 33 percent of people globally. In 2019, it was a factor in 10.4 million deaths. Some very high readings are called a hypertensive crisis. This happens when the pressure reaches 180/120 mmHg or higher. There are two kinds of crisis. One is an urgency where no organs are damaged yet. The other is an emergency where the brain, heart, or lungs are hurt. This is a very serious situation that needs fast help.

People can work to lower their blood pressure in many ways. Losing weight and exercising are great ways to help. Eating a healthy diet with less salt is also important. If lifestyle changes are not enough, doctors use medicine. Up to three medicines can help control pressure for 90 percent of people. Treating moderately high pressure can help people live longer.

Just like a garden needs the right care to grow, our bodies need healthy habits to stay strong.

Hypertension is a long-term medical condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure in the arteries.

This condition is a major global health concern and a significant cause of premature death. It often remains hidden because it usually does not cause any obvious symptoms. Because of this, about half of all people with hypertension are unaware they have it. Many cases are only discovered during routine health screenings or when seeking care for unrelated issues.

Blood pressure is measured using two distinct values. The first value is the systolic pressure, which measures the force during a heartbeat. The second value is the diastolic pressure, which measures the force between beats. For most adults, a normal resting pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension is classified into stages based on these numbers. Stage 1 hypertension occurs when pressure is persistently at or above 130/80 mmHg. Stage 2 hypertension is present when readings reach 140/90 mmHg or higher.

Medical professionals categorize hypertension into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary, or essential, hypertension accounts for approximately 90–95% of all cases. This type results from a complex interaction between genetic factors and lifestyle. It is often linked to excess salt intake, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol use. In contrast, secondary hypertension makes up only 5–10% of cases. This type is caused by a clearly identifiable medical condition. Common causes include chronic kidney disease, endocrine disorders, or the narrowing of kidney arteries.

In most people with established primary hypertension, the high pressure is caused by increased total peripheral resistance. This means the blood faces more resistance as it moves through the vessels. This resistance often comes from the structural narrowing of small arteries and arterioles. In some younger people, a different pattern called hyperkinetic borderline hypertension may occur. These individuals have a high cardiac output and an elevated heart rate. As they age, their peripheral resistance typically rises, leading to established hypertension.

Secondary hypertension can present with very specific clinical signs depending on the cause. For example, Cushing's syndrome may cause a "buffalo hump" of fat behind the neck. Hyperthyroidism can lead to a fast heart rate and bulging eyes. Renal artery stenosis might be detected by a localized abdominal bruit, which is a sound heard through a stethoscope. Other causes include sleep apnea, obesity, and the use of certain medicines or stimulants. Identifying these specific signs helps doctors find the underlying cause of the high pressure.

When blood pressure reaches extremely high levels, it is called a hypertensive crisis. This occurs when systolic pressure is 180 mmHg or higher, or diastolic pressure is 120 mmHg or higher. There are two types of crisis: urgency and emergency. Hypertensive urgency means the pressure is very high, but there is no evidence of organ damage. In these cases, oral medications are used to lower pressure over 24 to 48 hours. A hypertensive emergency involves direct damage to organs like the brain, heart, or lungs. This requires rapid medical intervention to stop ongoing damage.

Hypertension also presents unique challenges during pregnancy. It affects approximately 8–10% of pregnancies and can be classified in several ways. Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition in the second half of pregnancy involving high pressure and protein in the urine. It occurs in about 5% of pregnancies and is responsible for 16% of maternal deaths globally. If it progresses to eclampsia, it becomes a life-threatening emergency. Women who experience pregnancy-related complications have three times the risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life.

Managing hypertension is vital for reducing health risks. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. It can also lead to vision loss and dementia. Lifestyle changes like weight loss, regular exercise, and reducing salt intake are effective. If these changes are not enough, medications can be used. Up to three medications taken together can control blood pressure in 90% of people. Treating moderately high pressure can significantly improve life expectancy.