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Hypertension

Hypertension, or as it is more commonly known, High Blood Pressure, is a serious disorder that affects almost a quarter of the population within the UK alone. In many instances it can be very dangerous as it often goes unnoticed and untreated. There are no severe and obvious symptoms for high blood pressure and some people only find out they are affected it by it when it is too late. This can come in the form of a severe and unexpected heart attack. Almost half of the people that suffer from hypertension actually have no idea that they do.

Blood Pressure within one’s body is measured by how quickly the blood is pushed and passed through the main arteries. A good amount of pressure is normal and healthy in order to allow the blood to circulate well. However, too much pressure can be quite a danger to a person’s health. By no means is blood pressure a steady rate as it changes and varies day to day and even minute to minute depending on what a person is doing at that exact time. Consistently high blood pressure can quickly damage the main arteries and can reduce the ability for blood to travel to and from the main organs.

It is advised that adults have their blood pressure checked on a consistent basis. At worst you should have it checked once every few years but there is no harm in having it checked on a much more regular basis. The older that you get, the more you should check your blood pressure as well. As your age increases so will your blood pressure and you want to make sure it remains at a healthy level. It can be measured rather easily and quickly simply using a device that constricts around your arm in a matter of seconds. Blood pressure is calculated using two measurements. One is the systolic pressure and the other is the diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the rate at which the heart contracts to pump blood and diastolic pressure is the pressure while the heart is constricting and relaxing. A usual blood pressure result for a healthy adult should be lower than 140/85mmHg.

There is no single cause that can be blamed for high blood pressure but there are a number of small factors. Consuming too much alcohol or salt can affect your blood pressure. Also being consistently overweight or failing to exercise on a regular basis can have adverse effects on your blood stream.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure then there are a number of treatments that you can partake in. First thing first you should improve your diet and reduce your consumption of salt and alcohol. Doing your best to reduce your stress levels and getting adequate exercise are also very powerful treatments for the fight against high blood pressure. In extreme cases you may even be prescribed medication such as inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers. Prevention is a great remedy for high blood pressure and can go a long way to ensuring that you have a healthier, longer life.

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