The force that blood flow exerts on the inner walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood is called blood pressure. Hypertension occurs when this blood pressure stays elevated. If left untreated, hypertension can damage organs such as the kidneys and eyes. It can also lead to heart disease such as heart failure. Treatment for this condition involves the use of medications such as diuretics.
Facts
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute explains that one in three adults in the U. S. has hypertension and one half of Americans aged 60 or more have hypertension. People who are at risk for developing this disease are those who are African American, advanced in age or who indulge in lifestyle habits that can raise blood pressure such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol or consuming too much sodium. Being overweight or having a family history of hypertension also increase a person's chances of developing this condition.
Effects
Hypertension results in constricted blood vessels and this causes the blood supply to organs such as the kidneys to drop. Kidney failure, heart attack or stroke can occur. High blood pressure or hypertension can also cause the blood vessels in the eyes to burst and this can cause vision loss. The heart has to pump blood against high pressures in patients with hypertension. If this goes on over time, the heart can get weak and a condition called heart failure can occur. In heart failure, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the entire body.
Causes
The Mayo Clinic explains that hypertension has indentifiable and non identifiable causes. Identifiable causes of this disorder include certain congenital diseases and medications. Additionally, when blood volume -- the amount of blood in the body -- is high, hypertension can occur.
Diuretics
Diuretics are a class of drugs used in hypertension treatment. They are typically called water pills and work by stimulating removal of excess water from the body. This action reduces blood volume and can help lower blood pressure.
Types
Thiazides, loop diuretics and potassium-sparing diuretics are three classes of diuretics used in hypertension treatment. Loop diuretics are used to treat patients who have hypertension and kidney problems. Patients who have hypertension and hyperaldosteronism, a disease characterized by low potassium levels, are treated with potassium-sparing diuretics. Thiazide diuretics are used to treat patients who have uncomplicated hypertension.
