Do You Clearly Understand Your Hypertension?

Todays stressful life has given us many healthproblems and Hypertension is one of them, which is also known by thenames like arterial hypertension and high blood pressure. Not onlyheart related diseases like heart failure, heart attacks and strokescan be a result of hypertension but it has also been found tocontribute towards other very serious (chronic) diseases such as kidney(renal) failure and arterial aneurysm. Thereare two types of hypertension: essential hypertension, which can becaused from no clear reason, and secondary hypertension, which normallyhappens because of a certain reason such as kidney failure or surgery. Normallyphysicians consider blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg, as a normalblood pressure. And if the blood pressure reading is between the normalrange and 139/89 mmHg, it is called pre-hypertension, which isconsidered to be a warning flag. However, if a person is alreadysuffering from hypertension, the situation may grow worse in the latercase. But the facts stated earlier are not proven, experts are notunited in their opinion. For some, the normal blood pressure is 115/75while for others the stage of pre-hypertension is not a disease but alevel where risk of hypertension can be developed. Itis also seen that the patients of diabetes (mellitus) and kidneyproblems with a blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg mostly suffer from highblood pressure. Not everybody would come to know this because bloodpressure taken at home normally comes out to be lower than when it ismeasured at the doctor's clinic or hospital. Thedisease has almost no physical presence on the patient. For there maybe the cases wherein the person whose blood pressure is under 240/120will not show any signs of hypertension. And this is specifically thereason for which it is usually discovered 'by accident' and thus calledas The Silent Killer. Some symptoms likeheadache, blurred vision and damage of internal organ may indicate thatthe person is suffering from hypertension as well. It is thus alwaysadvisable to monitor your blood pressure regularly. Takethe blood pressure readings at least one hour after drinking or eatingproducts containing caffeine, 30 minutes after smoking and when thesufferer is in light or humorous mood. Itis usually seen that weight loss and regular physical exercise arerecommended during the treatment of hypertension but the consultationof doctor should be taken before one resorts to medication even in caseof pre-hypertension. A little change indiet is also advisable, which may include a rise in the intake ofcalcium and fruit and avoiding smoking, as it contributes tohypertension and increases the risk of stroke and heart relatedproblems. In addition to the oral medication, which is normally givento the patient for the purpose of rest, the range of herbal/homeopathictreatments are also available in the market that can be taken on theprescription of your physician. Hypertensionmay be caused because of the sodium (salt) intolerance and sleepdisorder (apnea). If a person takes alcohol in excess or is overweight,he can suffer from sleep apnea (characterized by waking frequently atnight and excessive, loud snoring). The patient can control his bloodpressure level by merely using less salt in the food and getting a goodnight sleep, which is not easy for the persons who are suffering fromsleep apnea. If treated carefully, at anearly stage and by bringing minor changes in ones present lifestyle,one can control the level of high blood pressure.