| What is High Blood Pressure? | | | | Blood Pressure. Hence, we can realize the fact that |
| High blood pressure is a rise in pressure exerted by | | | | High Blood Pressure can easily play with the lives of |
| circulating blood on the artery walls as a normal | | | | man. |
| response to stress and physical activity. However, if | | | | Can it Happen to Me? |
| this pressure remains persistently high (high blood | | | | High Blood Pressure can occur to both children as well |
| pressure as it is called), it can overwork your heart | | | | as adults. However, people above 35 years of age, |
| and arteries, making arterial disease, heart attacks | | | | have a greater chance of being attacked by High |
| and strokes more likely. | | | | Blood Pressure. It is mostly common in |
| Blood Pressure Measurement | | | | African-Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, |
| Medical practitioners record blood pressure as two | | | | obese people, heavy drinkers, and women who take |
| values, the systolic (the pressure of the blood as it | | | | birth control pills. People suffering from diabetes |
| enters the aorta from the heart) and the diastolic | | | | mellitus, gout or kidney diseases are also prone to |
| (the pressure when the heart ventricles relax | | | | High Blood Pressure. |
| between beats). It is measured in millimeters of | | | | Is There a Genetic Connection? |
| mercury (mm hg). high blood pressure, or in other | | | | Yes, High Blood Pressure can also run in families. So if |
| words, Hypertension or High Blood Pressure, is | | | | your parents have a history of high blood pressure, |
| defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than | | | | try to keep an eye on your pressure. It may arise |
| or equal to 140mm hg systolic pressure, or greater | | | | due to your genes. |
| than or equal to 90mm hg diastolic pressure. | | | | High blood pressure can also be contributed to high |
| However, a blood pressure reading above 140/90 | | | | stress and tension levels. Therefore, it is important to |
| indicates hypertension and is considered abnormal at | | | | reduce stress if there is a genetic connection to high |
| any stage. | | | | blood pressure. |
| High Blood Pressure Effects | | | | Get regular, brisk exercise and eat a healthy diet. |
| Coronary heart disease, leading to heart attack and | | | | Check your pressure regularly and take necessary |
| stroke, is the main harm that can be caused by High | | | | steps before it damages your heart! |