Hypertension in its simplest sense means ‘high blood pressure’. Medical science calls this condition, ‘arterial hypertension’, but hidden beneath the apparent simplicity of the term is the face of a silent killer. This silent killer can invariably trigger a heart attack, stroke, arterial aneurysm, eye damage, or a complete renal failure out of the blue, and no one will have any hint or clue that something was boiling inside for a worst outcome. Hence it is important that hypertension be diagnosed and treated at the earliest, before things get out of hand.

The important question is how to find out if a person is suffering from arterial hypertension. The biggest roadblock in diagnosing hypertension is the virtual absence of any solid symptom as it may normally be called a characteristic of high blood pressure. In other words, a person, even if suffering from hypertension, may not show any apparent symptoms. Every thing will look normal and the person may be as cheerful and healthy as a child. It is only when something happens that one might take note of the developments. In some cases unfortunately, things might have gone to the anvil by then.

Of course that does not mean that all types of hypertension are without any symptoms. Severe cases of hypertension may be accompanied with headache, sleeplessness, dizziness, and in a worse case, coma. In such instances, diagnosis will be a lot easier and quick, but again timely treatment is very crucial.

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Hypertension, high blood pressure (as it is commonly known), is at epidemic proportions in America. Second only to heart disease, almost 23,000 deaths were attributed to “hypertension” in 2004, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The NCHS also placed the percentage of deaths for non-institutionalized people, due to “hypertension”, at 29% for the years 2001-2004. What cause of hypertension or symptom of high blood pressure has left Americans to miss the boat on this “Silent Killer. ” Why are so many dying in America from hypertension when fewer, percentage-wise, are stricken in countries like France, Spain, and Italy?

The answer to that question is a double-edge sword, so to speak. The cause of high blood pressure and the cure for high blood pressure intertwine when we discuss a high blood pressure diet and herbs for high blood pressure. Over the years, a consensus has agreed that there must be something in the diet of the Europeans that is woefully lacking in the American diet. And indeed there is, the main cause of hypertension in America is diet and stress.

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Hypertension is one of the most common worldwide disease afflicting humans. It is diagnosed when blood pressure readings are higher even after the visit at two doctors. This doesn’t have any symptoms. But it is a serious condition and is a primary cause of stroke or diseases related to heart, kidney and eyes. This has become one of the important public health challenges due to the morbidity and mortality. This has been existing for many decades. Though there have been several extensive research, widespread patient education and many efforts have been led to decrease this hypertension, yet it remained untreated.

The hypertension leads to the modifiable risk factor that leads to the coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, end stage renal disease, and peripheral vascular disease that lead to causes for death. In most cases, hypertension is easily detected and usually controllable with lifestyle modifications—such as diet and exercise—and medication. Therefore, health care professionals must not only identify and treat patients with hypertension but also promote a healthy lifestyle and preventive strategies to decrease the prevalence of hypertension in the general population.

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Hypertension can be classified either essential (primary) or secondary. Essential hypertension indicates that no specific medical cause can be found to explain a patient’s condition. Secondary hypertension indicates that the high blood pressure is a result of (i. e. , secondary to) another condition, such as kidney disease or tumours (pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma). Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure.
Cause and Pathogenesis
The cause of primary (essential) hypertension is not known. It is thought to be due to multiple risk factors. Known risk factors include a familial history of the disease, race, obesity, tobacco smoking, stress, and a high-fat or high-sodium diet in genetically susceptible individuals. Extremely nervous and highly emotional people also tend to develop hypertension more readily. Secondary hypertension is related to an underlying disease process such as renal parenchymal disorders , renal artery disease, endocrine and metabolic disorders, central nervous system disorders, and narrowing of the aorta (coarctation).

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Primary (aka essential) hypertension has no known cause, however there are a number of lifestyle factors which do seem to effect the chances of developing hypertension.

Risk factors may be related to the environment, genetics and family history, smoking, diet, hormones, how much sodium (salt) you have in your diet or even the level of stress in your life.

Hypertension also increases your risk of having a stroke or heart attack, and can lead to other diseases as well as make other health conditions even worse. It is important to your health and your future to learn about the risk factors and by controlling and altering what you have control over you can change you decrease your risks.

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What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is caused by the pressure due to excessive pumping of the heart. . It is one of the leading causes of death in the world today. In addition to being a deadly condition, hypertension can also cause damage to vital organs like the liver, brains, kidneys and the heart. Unfortunately, people suffering from hypertension may not even be aware of that condition till it becomes too serious a problem. Blood pressure measure always has two readings, one taken when the heart is beating and the other when the heart is at rest. The normal values for these two readings are 140 and 90 respectively.

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Millions of people are affected by high blood pressure (hypertension), a condition in which blood travels through the body’s arteries at a pressure too high for good health. High blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs is called pulmonary hypertension (PHT). The blood pressure measured by cuff on your arm isn’t directly related to the pressure in your lungs. The blood vessels that supply the lungs constrict and their walls thicken, so they can’t carry as much blood. As in a kinked garden hose, pressure builds up and backs up. The heart works harder, trying to force the blood through. Nearly 50 million Americans have high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). It occurs when blood travels through the body’s arteries at a pressure too high for good health.

It is most commonly found in women between ages 20 and 40. However, men and women in all age ranges — as well as very young children — can develop PPH. There are two main kinds of pulmonary hypertension. One runs in families or appears for no known reason. The other kind is related to another condition, usually heart or lung disease. The most common cause of pulmonary hypertension is left heart failure leading to pulmonary venous hypertension (WHO Group II). This may be due to systolic or diastolic malfunction of the left ventricle or due to valvular dysfunction such as mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis, or aortic regurgitation. It usually manifests as pulmonary edema or pleural effusions. Treatment is determined by whether the PH is arterial, venous, hypoxic, or miscellaneous.

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Have you ever felt your heart to be pumping so hard especially when you are at the height of extreme emotions like anger or happiness? Have you ever felt a sudden rush of blood when you are nervous or excited? Are these conditions related to hypertension? What is Hypertension?

Commonly referred to as high blood pressure, hypertension is a medical condition characterized by the elevation of blood pressure. There are different kinds of hypertension but the most common is the arterial hypertension. This condition could also be classified into two – essential and secondary.

Essential hypertension refers to the condition when there is no specific medical cause that could explain the occurrence. On the other hand, secondary hypertension is caused by secondary conditions like kidney malfunctions or adrenal tumors. When not treated immediately, this condition could become persistent and could cause a lot of other ailments especially those that concern the heart. It has known to be the common risk strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm. It is also said to be the leading cause of chronic renal failure. As an effect of hypertension, a person who frequently suffers such is known to have lesser life expectancy.

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High blood pressure is frequently difficult to treat in a short time by acupuncture or herbs. Patients become discouraged and turn to western medicine. Some forms of Qigong can help lower blood pressure. However, most of these forms must be taught to the patient and are not simple to learn.

Most of these Qigong methods have a common factor. The rate of respiration is slowed down. This may be the chief parameter which accounts for their lowering of blood pressure.

Recent research shows that 3 or 4 15-minute sessions of slow breathing (less than or equal to 10 breaths per minute) can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, usually within 8 weeks .In one clinical trial, some diabetics were not able to sufficiently lower their respiration rate. However, with a longer training period a lower rate of respiration might be achieved.

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Hypertension in pregnancy is the most common problem to be encountered during your pregnancy. In fact 2 or 3 percent pregnant women have Pregnancy induced hypertension.

Lois Roberts of Westminster had Hypertension in pregnancy during her fourth pregnancy. She found out on her third prenatal visit.

As she found out, first pregnancy, age older than 35 years, and time since your last pregnancy of less than 2 years or more than 10 years increase the chances to have Hypertension in pregnancy.

Other things that increase the risk of Hypertension in pregnancy are chronic hypertension, preexisting diabetes, type 2, diabetes with microvascular disease and obesity.

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