High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Blood pressure in a healthy young adult is up to 119/79 mmHg but the blood pressure values greatly vary from person to person. For that reason a bit higher values are usually still considered normal and do not require any medical treatment. However, since high blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases which are in developed countries one of the leading causes of death it is very important to regularly measure the blood pressure.

High blood pressure also known as hypertension refers to abnormally high values of blood pressure and is usually divided in two stages: Stage 1 hypertension (sometimes also referred as essential hypertension) and Stage 2 hypertension. Stage 1 hypertension is diagnosed when the values of systolic pressure are between 140 and 159 mmHg and of diastolic pressure between 90 and 99 mmHg, while higher values of blood pressure than 159/99 mmHg one is suffering from Stage 2 hypertension. Blood pressure up to 139/89 mmHg is referred as prehypertension. About 10% of people suffering from high blood pressure have Stage 2 hypertension which is usually caused by other disorders such as kidney disorder or hormonal imbalance. Stage 1 hypertension which affects 90% of all patients with high blood pressure has no specific cause but the experts agree that it is most frequently caused by improper diet (in first place too salty foods), alcoholism, overweight, lack of physical activity, stress and some medications, while genetic factors are believed to play an important role in high blood pressure. Since blood pressure increases with age people after age of 50 are in higher risk of hypertension, while high blood pressure more frequently affects men than women.

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms and can be detected only by regular measurements. People with high blood pressure often feel normal but in some people occurs increased tiredness after physical activity, chest pain, rapid heart beat, dizziness, headaches and sleeping disorders. However, all mentioned symptoms are very unspecific and can also be the symptoms of other diseases.

If not treated hypertension can cause serious health problems and in worst case even result death. High blood pressure greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and coronary disease, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.