Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is consistently elevated, potentially causing damage to blood vessels and organs over time. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (the higher number, measuring pressure when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (the lower number, measuring pressure when the heart rests between beats). Normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120/80 mmHg, while hypertension is diagnosed when readings consistently measure 130/80 mmHg or higher. The condition is often called the "silent killer" because it typically produces no symptoms until it has caused significant damage, though some people may experience headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, or dizziness with severely elevated blood pressure. Hypertension develops from a combination of risk factors including age (risk increases with aging), family history and genetics, obesity, high sodium intake, insufficient potassium consumption, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, chronic stress, sleep apnea, and certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid disorders. In about 90-95% of cases, the exact cause cannot be identified (primary or essential hypertension), while the remaining 5-10% of cases result from an underlying condition such as kidney disease, adrenal gland tumors, thyroid problems, or certain medications (secondary hypertension). Diagnosis requires multiple blood pressure measurements taken on different occasions using a properly calibrated device, with readings taken after the person has been seated quietly for at least five minutes. Untreated hypertension significantly increases the risk of serious health complications including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and failure, vision loss, sexual dysfunction, peripheral artery disease, and cognitive decline or dementia. Treatment begins with lifestyle modifications including adopting the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy while limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg (ideally 1,500 mg) per day, engaging in regular aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, managing stress through relaxation techniques, and ensuring adequate sleep. When lifestyle changes are insufficient to control blood pressure, medications are prescribed including diuretics (water pills that help eliminate excess sodium and fluid), ACE inhibitors (which relax blood vessels by blocking formation of a hormone that narrows vessels), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs, which block the action of vessel-narrowing hormones), calcium channel blockers (which prevent calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells), and beta-blockers (which reduce heart rate and cardiac output). Many people require two or more medications to adequately control their blood pressure, and treatment is typically lifelong with regular monitoring to ensure blood pressure remains at target levels and to adjust medications as needed.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

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