The Diagnosis Of Hypertension


by Kristi Patrice Carter - Date: 2007-05-01 - Word Count: 410 Share This!

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, it means that your blood pressure is too high and is putting too much pressure on the artery walls as it travels through the body. If undiagnosed or not treated properly, hypertension can cause serious damage to the arterial system, kidneys, brain and eyes. Hypertension may also result in death, as it is the leading cause of strokes.

A person is diagnosed with hypertension if their blood pressure measures over 140/90 on three consecutive measurements taken at least six hours apart from each other. Two numbers determine the patient's actual blood pressure. The first number measures the systolic pressure. This number measures the cardiac output and tells the highest level of pressure in the arteries. The second number is the diastolic pressure. This number indicated the peripheral resistance and tells the lowest amount of pressure in the arteries. In other words, these two numbers comprise the range of pressure in the arteries.

There are several different types of hypertension. Primary hypertension can be caused by smoking, lifestyle, stress, or smoking. Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure resulting from some other illness, such as congestive kidney failure or heart failure.

Another form of hypertension is caused by pregnancy. High blood pressure beyond the twentieth week of pregnancy is called PIH, which stands for pregnancy induced hypertension. This can lead to a condition known as preeclampsia, which can place the mother and unborn child at serious risk. It can, in rare cases, lead to the mother's death.

If you are diagnosed with hypertension, you doctor or nutritionist may discuss the DASH Diet with you. This diet is designed to help people lower their high blood pressure and make healthy lifestyle changes that are permanent. This is a low fat diet that requires the individual to increase the number of fruits and vegetables they eat each day. This will help the individual feel full, and they will not grab for chips and other unhealthy snacks in order to satisfy a craving. While you are on the DASH Diet, you are encouraged to increase your exercise schedule, which will also help you lose weight.

If diet and exercise do not lower your high blood pressure, your doctors may prescribe a medication to help control your hypertension. Before you go on any medication, be sure to discuss the pros and cons of the medication with your doctor. This will help you make an informed decision.

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Learn more about Dash Diet Hypertension and more nutritional facts at www.dashdiethypertension.com

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