A blood pressure reading measures the amount of blood the heart pumps and how much resistance the blood flow has on arteries. Individuals with high blood pressure, also called hypertension, can suffer from life-threatening complications.
Definition
Blood pressure for a healthy adult should be 140/90 mm Hg or lower. For individuals with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or coronary artery disease, blood pressure should be 130/80 mm Hg or lower. Individuals with heart failure should keep their blood pressure under 120/80 mm Hg.
Complications
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and congestive heart failure.
Causes
MayoClinic.com states that in most people, high blood pressure develops gradually over years and the cause is unknown. This is called primary hypertension. Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying disorder, including kidney problems, adrenal gland tumors, heart defects, certain medications and illegal drugs.
Risk Factors
Blood pressure increases with age. Women are more likely to experience high blood pressure after menopause; however, more men than women experience high blood pressure in early middle age. Other risk factors for high blood pressure include family history; stress; being overweight or obese; not being physically active; tobacco use; alcohol use; and eating too much salt.
Treatment
Lifestyle changes, including eating a healthy diet, reducing salt intake and exercising, can lower blood pressure. Medications such as diuretics, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors are used to lower blood pressure.
