What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure (BP) has two components: systolic pressure (the higher number) and diastolic pressure (the lower number) .It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)

    Blood pressure (BP) has two components: systolic pressure (the higher number) and diastolic pressure (the lower number) .It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)

   Systolic BP represents the pressure that the heart needs to generate to pump blood to the rest of the body, while Diastolic BP refers to the pressure needed to pump blood to the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries).

   Hypertension is defined as: systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120 mm Hg or greater; or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80 mm Hg or greater.

Are there any symptoms?

 Usually hypertension is without specific symptoms. However very high blood pressure sometimes manifests itself in form of headaches and fatigue (a tired feeling). Hypertension has the ability to damage the crucial organs of the body like the brain, heart, and kidneys, as well as arteries throughout the body. It is a very important risk factor for heart attacks,
strokes, and kidney failure.

What is the diagnosis for high BP?

 Blood pressure readings of more than 120/80 mm Hg on three consecutive visits over a period of one month mean that one is hypertensive. However as all of us are presently livings in high stress situations as a routine, BP readings of 140/90 are also considered quite normal nowadays.

Can essential hypertension be prevented?

 Prevention of hypertension involves regular aerobic exercise, restriction on salt intake, abstinence from smoking, a low fat diet, and maintaining correct body weight.

 Hypertension is a chronic condition. However medication along with change in life style (regular exercise, restricted salt diet etc. Can lead to a fall in blood pressure. Once the blood pressure is consistently less than 130/85 mm Hg without medication, then one remains no longer hypertensive.