While diuretics can help lower blood pressure by removing salt and extra fluid from the body, the actual mechanism of how they reduce blood pressure is not fully understood. For example, diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide are a cheap and effective drug for many people. There are many different classes of antihypertensive medications, each working by a different mechanism. When these lifestyle changes are not sufficient to control hypertension, prescription medication is usually required. Limiting consumption of alcohol can also help lower blood pressure, however moderate alcohol use has certain cardiovascular (heart and circulatory system) benefits. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, fat-free dairy foods, and low in fat and sodium tend to lower blood pressure. To prevent or reduce (pre)hypertension, doctors generally recommend an improved diet, regular exercise, and, if applicable, losing weight or quitting smoking. Prehypertension should be taken seriously as it can often progress to hypertension if the risk factors are not controlled. Elevated blood pressure over several successive visits yields a diagnosis of hypertension or prehypertension. Uncomplicated hypertension generally has no symptoms, so it is usually diagnosed through regular medical check-ups. Blood vessels in the kidney may narrow or block completely, ultimately leading to kidney failure. Rupture of an aneurysm can lead to a stroke or death. Aneurysm (a weakened area in a blood vessel).Left ventricular hypertrophy (enlarged heart), possibly leading to heart failure.Cerebrovascular disease and stroke due to "hardening" or damage to the blood vessels in your brain.Blood vessels in the eye may burst and bleed, sometimes resulting in blindness. In other cases, there is no known cause (idiopathic) and the condition is sometimes called essential hypertension.Īdverse consequences of chronic hypertension may include. These cases are referred to as secondary hypertension. Hypertension can also be caused by a variety of other medical conditions. Get your AED signs, tags, and other first aid products from Emporium. The chances of developing hypertension are increased for individuals who: Incidence of hypertension is significantly higher in African-Americans than in other racial groups. Between 1 in 3 and 1 in 4 people have hypertension. Just as you have a pressure gauge on your car to make sure it is operating in the proper range, so should you keep track of your blood pressure to ensure your body is, too.Įlevated blood pressure is disturbingly common. Too high of a pressure can cause long-term damage and too low of a pressure will not provide sufficient blood flow. Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries. Your heart is a pump that contracts and relaxes to force blood through your arteries to all parts of your body. In severe or prolonged cases, it can be a serious medical condition. Hypotension is an abnormally low blood pressure, usually below 90/50 mm Hg.Normal blood pressure for adults is generally in the range of 90/50 to 120/90 mm Hg.Prehypertension is typically defined as blood pressure between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg and is the intermediate case between normal and high blood pressure.Blood pressure is expressed as systolic "over" diastolic and is written with a slash for example 132/70 means the systolic reading is 132 and diastolic reading is 70 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure is the force exerted when your heart beats and diastolic blood pressure is the force when your heart is resting between beats. Chronic high blood pressure is likely to induce cardiovascular (heart and circulatory system) damage and or other adverse consequences such as stroke. Readings higher than 140/90 or 130/80 mm Hg are considered high. Hypertension is higher than normal blood pressure.Get your PPE such as made in USA NIOSH-approved N95 masks from Safety Emporium.