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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhen the heart\nbeats, it generates a force exerted against artery walls, known as blood\npressure. Blood pressure is measured by testing the force needed to stop blood\nfrom flowing through the arteries, away from the heart. When a blood pressure\ntest is performed, a test result will yield two numbers. The first number is\nknown as the systolic number. It measures the pressure when the heart beats.\nThe second number, known as the diastolic number, measures the pressure between\nheart beats, when the heart is at rest. A normal blood pressure for a healthy\nadult is 120\/80.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hypertension,\nalso known as high blood pressure, is a serious condition that affects\napproximately one quarter of all Americans. Hypertension is commonly known as\nthe \u201csilent killer\u201d because of the lack of any noticeable symptoms. If not treated, hypertension can lead to many\nmore serious conditions that can ultimately prove fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosing and\ntreating hypertension is very important because it can lead to a number of\nother diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone is\nsusceptible to developing hypertension, but some groups are at greater risk\nthan others. Those most at risk are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 People with a history of\nhypertension in their family <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Overweight\npeople<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 African Americans <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Elderly people<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are also at a\nhigher risk to develop hypertension if you: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Smoke<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Drink alcohol frequently<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Are pregnant or on birth\ncontrol pills<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 On a high-salt diet<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Are an inactive person<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have\nhypertension, there are ways of controlling your condition. The following\nlifestyle changes can be added to reduce your risk: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Exercise\nRegularly – Aerobic exercise for 15 to 45 minutes, three to four times a week,\nevery week is recommended by doctors. Swimming, walking, jogging, riding a\nbike, and dancing are all excellent forms of aerobic exercise.<\/li>
- Eat\nhealthy – Avoid foods with high salt and high fat content. Doctors suggest\neating more fruit, vegetables, chicken, fish, pasta, and low-fat dairy\nproducts. <\/li>
- Control\nAlcohol – Limit alcohol consumption. <\/li>
- Stop\nSmoking – If you are serious about controlling hypertension, you must stop\nsmoking.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In some more\nserious cases, doctors will prescribe medication to help control hypertension.\nThe best prevention is to see a doctor and have a blood pressure check-up at\nleast once a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before beginning\na diet or exercise program, consult your physician.<\/p>\n
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
According to the American Heart Association, hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It is defined an adult as blood pressure that is greater than or equal to 140 mm systolic and 90 mm diastolic. Hypertension directly increases … Continue reading