Hypertension (high blood pressure) is called the "silent killer" because it causes no side effects unless blood pressures is extremely high. If blood pressure is not checked regularly, patients can live for decades not knowing that this disease is slowly and insidiously damaging their heart, kidneys and other organs. For this reason, it is imperative to get your blood pressure checked occasionally, particularly as you age. Routine blood pressure checks are part of a healthy regimen.
Definitions
Just as water exerts a pressure on the interior of the hose that it courses through, blood exerts a pressure on the interior of your veins, arteries and capillaries.
Blood pressure is measured using a blood pressure cuff placed over the brachial artery in the upper arm. Two pressures are actually taken. The first number--the larger one--is the systolic pressure, which is a measure of the blood's pressure against the artery when the heart is pounding and the pressure is strongest. The diastolic pressure is the second number. It is smaller because it is a measure of pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
Blood pressure can be checked manually using either a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope or a computerized system that does not require a separate stethoscope.
Causes
The Mayo Clinic says doctors can rarely identify the cause of hypertension. This condition seems to be a consequence of aging as 90 percent to 95 percent of cases develop slowly over time.
The causes of hypertension are easier to identify in a small group of patients. Hypertension and kidney disease go together because kidneys lose the ability to help regulate blood pressure when they are progressively diseased. Birth control pills, decongestants, prednisone, cocaine and amphetamines also raise blood pressure, as do birth defects involving heart tissue and adrenal gland tumors.
Consequences
Hypertension has devastating consequences. It causes stroke because of blocked blood vessels in the brain. The perpetual wear and tear on arteries can lead to aneurysms. The United States Renal Data System says high blood pressure caused more than 25,000 cases of kidney failure in 2007. These conditions are often fatal. High blood pressure also can cause memory and cognitive problems.
Malignant Hypertension
Extremely high blood pressure is called malignant hypertension. This is a true medical emergency, requiring hospitalization. Blood pressures higher than 180/120 fall into this category.
Malignant hypertension can cause stroke and heart disease. It is also very hard on the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure. Because it is so dangerous, patients are hospitalized while medications are given to bring down blood pressure.
Symptoms of malignant hypertension include headache, blurry vision, nosebleeds, dizziness and ringing in the ears.
Treatment
Hypertension is treated through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Lifestyle changes include minimizing salt in the diet, exercise, weight control and relaxation. For many people, such changes are sufficient to lower blood pressure to satisfactory levels. However, if the patient is older or if the hypertension is caused by kidney disease, these measures are rarely sufficient by themselves, and medication may be necessary.
