| Hypertension is a serious cause of illness, mortality | | | | that present a marked raise of diastolic blood |
| and a cost to society. There is good evidence | | | | pressure over 130 - 140 mmHg, leading |
| that hypertension is inheritable, although the | | | | progressively to renal disease. Malignant |
| precise genetic pattern is not known. Many studies | | | | hypertension can occur in previously fit individuals, |
| have also confirmed a positive correlation | | | | but in most cases occur in individuals with benign |
| between body weight and high blood pressure. | | | | hypertension. Consequences of malignant |
| Patients who lose weight can reduce their blood | | | | hypertension include: Ventricular (left) hypertrophy, |
| pressure. The pathophysiological mechanisms | | | | cardiac failure, retinal hemorrhage, blurred vision, |
| under scrutiny currently involve: a) Salt sensitivity, | | | | blood in the urine, kidney failure, cerebral |
| b) Rennin-angiotensin-aldosteron system and c) | | | | hemorrhage and severe headaches. |
| Sympathetic nervous system. | | | | Hypertension may result from several other |
| There is no universal agreement on the definition | | | | underlying conditions such as: Renal hypertension - |
| of hypertension, but most authorities accept that | | | | the possibility of renal disease should be |
| an "at rest" sustained blood pressure of more | | | | considered with every patient with hypertension. |
| than 140/90 mmHg is a borderline hypertension. | | | | Endocrine causes - Cushing's syndrome adrenal |
| Furthermore, diastolic pressure between, 95 and | | | | tumors can cause hypertension but are not |
| 104 mmHg is categorized mild, 105 and 114 | | | | common. Aorta problems (coarctation) - |
| mmHg is categorized moderate and 115 mmHg | | | | hypertension is one of the common features |
| and above severe. Up to 90% of people who | | | | here. Death can result from cardiac failure, |
| have elevated blood pressure have no obvious | | | | aneurysm or cerebral hemorrhage. Drug therapy - |
| cause for their condition. However, the key | | | | many drugs such as anti-inflammatory, |
| feature in all patients is an increased total | | | | corticosteroids, some non-steroidal drugs and the |
| peripheral vascular resistance. | | | | contraceptive pill can induce hypertension. Age - A |
| Hypertension has also been classified according to | | | | progressive rise in blood pressure with increasing |
| the clinical and pathological consequences of the | | | | age is observed. |
| blood pressure elevation. Essential or benign is | | | | Regulation of normal blood pressure is a complex |
| often without symptoms. Malignant hypertension | | | | process. An accurate measurement of blood |
| needs prompt treatment as it is a serious | | | | pressure is the key to diagnosis. Several options |
| condition and can cause organ damage or risk of | | | | and most importantly such as medication and |
| sudden death cerebral hemorrhage if left | | | | lifestyle changes- weight bearing exercise such as |
| untreated. | | | | walking for 30 minutes four to five days a week, |
| Benign hypertension produces hypertrophy of the | | | | practice meditation and Thi-Chi and quit smoking. |
| left ventricle due to increased cardiac overload | | | | Embrace a diet that includes foods rich in |
| and peripheral vascular resistance. Longstanding | | | | potassium, magnesium and calcium to help with |
| hypertension creates disease of small arteries and | | | | blood regulation and prevent or treat vascular |
| the development of atherosclerosis. There are a | | | | disease. Additionally, some natural blood pressure |
| number of other diseases that precipitated or | | | | remedies and supplements such coenzyme Q10, |
| accelerated by hypertension such as aortic | | | | garlic supplements, hawthorn supplements and |
| aneurysm and cerebral hemorrhage. | | | | folic acid may help in the reduction of high blood |
| Malignant hypertension is a pathological syndrome | | | | pressure in some patients. |