What is hypertension?

High blood pressure or hypertension is rampant though we do not know about it. The malady does not deceive of symptoms, until it is too late. Stressed professionals are getting hypertension at younger age. Thus, it makes sense to get your blood pressure checked at regular intervals, just like dental cleanings.

Blood pressure facts

o Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of our body in vessels called arteries, says Dr. Hansa Gupta, consultant cardiologist with Paras Hospitals.
o Each time our heart beats about 60-70 times a minute at rest, it pumps oxygen-rich blood through the blood vessels, or arteries, that run through our body.
o Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. The more forceful it is—the higher it is—the more likely it is to damage the walls of your arteries, informs Dr. Hansa
o Your blood pressure changes throughout the day. It is lowest when you’re asleep, and it rises when you awaken. It also can rise when you are excited, nervous, or active. So it varies throughout the day.
o Our blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure—the first number of your blood pressure reading. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls—diastolic pressure—the second number of your blood pressure reading.
o The recommendations of Joint National Committee VII, a central activity of the NHLBI’s National High Blood Pressure Education Program, a patient and professional education program on classifying high blood pressure for adults aged 18 years or older are as follows–
 Normal is less than or equal to 120 systolic/ 80 diastolic pressure
 Prehypertension is 120-139/ 80-89
 Stage I hypertension—140-159/ 90-99
 Stage II hypertension—160or more/ 100 or more
 Since readings may vary it is recommended that hypertension be diagnosed only after two or more elevated readings obtained on at least two visits over a period of one to several weeks.

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