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High Blood Pressure Guide
High Blood Pressure
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High Blood Pressure
The force of blood, pumped from the heart through the body, exerted on the walls of blood vessels and arteries is known as blood pressure. If blood pressure levels are too high, serious health problems can result.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, in two distinct categories of pressure, systolic and diastolic. Systolic refers to the measurement of blood pressure when the heart is contracting, and is represented by the first number in a blood pressure reading. Diastolic refers to the measurement of blood pressure while the heart is relaxed and is represented as the second number in a reading. Normal blood pressure readings are usually 120/80 or less.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often called the "silent killer," because those who suffer usually don't know, because there are no symptoms associated with high blood pressure. The only way to know if you suffer from high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
About 90 percent of all cases of high blood pressure have no known cause. As a result, most people don't know they have high blood pressure. When the cause of the condition is not known, it is called primary or essential hypertension. The remaining cases, known as secondary hypertension can result from adrenal gland disease, kidney disease and narrowing of the aorta.
There are many ways to reduce your risk for high blood pressure or eliminate an existing condition. Lifestyle changes, medications and common sense can help you live healthier life free of hypertension. Take a moment to look around our site and learn more about high blood pressure.
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High Blood Pressure Symptoms