Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the leading silent killers among individuals today. Many people are walking around and do not even know they have high blood pressure. Hypertension can lead to serious medical conditions if left untreated. Hypertension is caused by the narrowing of the arteries, and the constriction of the allowance for blood to pass through. The more constricted the arteries the harder time the blood has passing through. This causes your heart to work harder trying to pump the blood through. Some hypertension symptoms are blurred vision, headaches, and dizziness. You may even experience some shortness of breath. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment to visit your doctor. Individuals whose blood pressure readings are 140/80 are usually watched closely for high blood pressure. Your physician may request you check your blood pressure at home, or come to the office at different times to have it checked.

High blood pressure can easily be detected and treated. Individuals need to keep all of their doctor’s appointments, to ensure their blood pressure is being monitored. Even children can develop high blood pressure. It is very important to monitor their salt intake. As well as adults children need to be getting plenty of daily exercise.

There are two types of hypertension, the known factors and the unknown factors. Some people will develop hypertension, and there will be no known reasons to exactly why. While others who develop hypertension will have factors that have contributed to it. Some risk factors that can play a part in determining hypertension are race, age, and whether high blood pressure is hereditary in an individual’s family history.

African-Americans are the leading race diagnosed with hypertension each year. High blood pressure often develops at a young adult age and continues throughout a person’s adulthood. Obesity also plays a huge factor in hypertension. An individual’s heart has to work overtime to supply all the vital nutrients throughout the body. Also to much salt in a person’s diet is extremely unhealthy. This will cause the body to retain water and this will cause high blood pressure. Hypertension can lead to strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure and other life threatening conditions. Hypertension can also cause memory loss. This is not just limited to older adults. Memory loss can occur in very young individuals. This form of memory loss could later lead to dementia, if hypertension is not diagnosed and treated early on.

Hypertension is usually treated by changing a person’s diet. Some people will need help controlling their blood pressure. In cases like this medication will be prescribed. High blood pressure medication can range from mild to strong, depending on your blood pressure readings. Some individuals may be required to take more than one medication type. Discuss all medications over with your doctor before taking them. If you have any kind of side effects you should call your doctor’s office and schedule an appointment. Your medication may need to be changed or the dosage altered.

If you are the type that avoid visiting your doctor, think of all the risk you are taking. Make an appointment and get tested. You just may save a life…”your own”.