Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is chronically elevated. With every heart beat, the heart pumps blood through the arteries to the rest of the body. Blood pressure is the force of blood that is pushing up against the walls of the blood vessels. If the pressure is too high, the heart has to work harder to pump, and this could lead to organ damage and several illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, aneurysm, or renal failure.
Hypertension may be classified as essential or secondary. Essential hypertension is the term for high blood pressure with unknown cause. It accounts for about 95% of cases. Secondary hypertension is the term for high blood pressure with a known direct cause, such as kidney disease, tumors, or birth control pills.
Several other factors that are highly associated with hypertension are: Smoking, Obesity or being overweight,Diabetes, Sedentary lifestyle, Lack of physical activity, High levels of salt intake (sodium sensitivity, Insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption, Vitamin D deficiency, High levels of alcohol consumption, Stress, Aging, Medicines such as birth control pills, Genetics and a family history of hypertension, Chronic kidney disease, Adrenal and thyroid problems or tumors.
Prevention of Hypertension: Hypertension can best be prevented by adjusting your lifestyle so that proper diet and exercise are key components. It is important to maintain a healthy weight, reduce salt intake, reduce alcohol intake, and reduce stress.
