Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a disease of vascular regulation resulting from malfunction of arterial pressure control mechanisms (central

nervous system, rennin-angiotensinaldosterone system, extracellular fluid volume.) the cause is unknown, and there is no cure. The basic explanation is that blood pressure is elevated when there is increased cardiac output plus increased peripheral vascular resistance. The two major types of hypertension are primary (essential) hypertension, in which diastrolic pressure is 90 mm Hg or higher and systolic pressure is 140 mm Hg or higher in absence of other causes of hypertension (approximately 95 % of patients); and Secondary hypertension,which results primarily from renal disease, endocrine disorders, and coarctation of the aorta. Either of these conditions may give rise to accelerated hypertension a medical emergency in which blood pressure elevates very rapidly to threaten one or more of the target organs: the brain, kidney, or the heart. Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases for which treatment is available; however, most patients with hypertension are unaware, untreated, or inadequately treated. Risk factors for hypertension are age between 30 and 70; black; overweight; sleep apnea; family history; cigarette smoking; sedentary lifestyle; and diabetes mellitus. Because hypertension presents no over symptoms, it is termed the silent killer. The untreated disease may progress to retinopathy, renal failure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. Hypertension in children is defined as the average systolic or diastolic blood pressure greater than or th equal to the 95 percentile for age and sex with measurement on at lease three occasions. The incidence of hypertension in children is low, but it is increasingly being recognized in adolescents; and it may occur in neonates, infants, and young children with secondary causes.

Pathophysiology of Hypertension
Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. The force of blood against the wall of arteries is known as blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to many heart diseases and it also increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Let us have a look at the various pathophysiological conditions associated with hypertension.

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Hypertension, is called 'the silent killer' as it often asymptomatic. Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular disease in America. There are approximately 73 million people who suffer from high blood pressure in the United States. The normal blood pressure is calculated as 120/80 in a healthy adult. If the blood pressure reaches 140/90 or higher on two separate occasions, the person is said to suffer from hypertension. The blood pressure rises above 130/80 in diabetics, and they have higher risks of heart diseases. Immediate treatment should be provided to a patient whose blood pressure ranges 200/120. When the blood pressure is slightly higher than 120/80, such condition is termed as pre-hypertension. This condition affects 50 million Americans and can cause damage of arteries the heart, brain and kidneys. Thus, early treatment is necessary for this condition. Causes of Hypertension Hypertension is commonly observed in
y y y y y y y y

People with family history of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases. People over 55 years of age Obese people People with very little physical activities
Alcoholics

Tobacco smokers Drug users such as cocaine People who eat junk food excessively

Pathophysiology of Hypertension The pathophysiology of high blood pressure is unknown in 95% of the cases in America. This type of blood pressure where exact cause cannot be pinpointed is known as essential hypertension. The hereditary factor may be one reason for essential hypertension. It is also observed that it affects more men than women. Diet and lifestyle also play a role in the pathophysiology. Overweight people often suffer from hypertension. Irregular sleep patterns also led to hypertension. Hypertension is seen in people with excessive salt intake in their diet. These people are called as 'salt sensitive'. Their bodies exhibit high blood pressure, when the amount of salt in their blood is more than the body requirement. Low potassium and calcium intake, stress are also the causes of with high pressure. Secondary hypertension is the condition when one can pinpoint the exact cause of hypertension. Kidney diseases is the most common factor for secondary hypertension. Hypertension can also be caused by tumors of the adrenal glands. These tumors or abnormalities of the adrenal glands cause excessive secretion of hormones that led to hypertension. Estrogen, the hormone found in birth control pills can also cause the blood pressure to elevate. Pregnancy is another factor, that causes hypertension. The development of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are also affected by hypertension. Hypertension reduces the elasticity of arteries causing other secondary conditions which lead to decrease blood flow and ischemic diseases. Hypertension induced arteriosclerosis may led to atrophy of renal glomeruli and tubules. This causes renal failure and may lead to death. Another serious complication arising due to hypertension is Cerebrovascular diseases. Coronary diseases are the most common cause of death for hypertensive patients. Treatment of Hypertension In order to control hypertension, you have to follow a healthy diet and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Hypertensive patients should
y y y y y y y

Quit smoking Reduce weight, if obese or overweight Eat less of junk food and more of fresh vegetables, fruits, low fat dairy products. Exercise regularly Consume about 2.3 gm of salt in your diet daily Reduce the intake of alcohol. There are several medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers which can be prescribed to keep hypertension in check

One should visit the doctor at least once a month to keep the blood pressure in check. It is not possible to prevent hypertension in many cases. But you can avoid it to an extent by following a healthy lifestyle. Prevention of the silent killer, will save you from many dreaded diseases in the future.

Pathophysiology of Hypertension
Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. The force of blood against the wall of arteries is known as blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to many heart diseases and it also increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Let us have a look at the various pathophysiological conditions associated with hypertension.

Ads by Google

"Heart Attack Warning"

Clean Arteries & Avoid Surgery. Painless, Fast, Safe & Easy www.YourTicker.com/Angioprim

Pathology Cases (Free)

Amazing Cases w/ Digital Images Shared by Pathologists Worldwide www.pathxchange.org

Hypertension, is called 'the silent killer' as it often asymptomatic. Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular disease in America. There are approximately 73 million people who suffer from high blood pressure in the United States. The normal blood pressure is calculated as 120/80 in a healthy adult. If the blood pressure reaches 140/90 or higher on two separate occasions, the person is said to suffer from hypertension. The blood pressure rises above 130/80 in diabetics, and they have higher risks of heart diseases. Immediate treatment should be provided to a patient whose blood pressure ranges 200/120. When the blood pressure is slightly higher than 120/80, such condition is termed as pre-hypertension. This condition affects 50 million Americans and can cause damage of arteries the heart, brain and kidneys. Thus, early treatment is necessary for this condition. Causes of Hypertension Hypertension is commonly observed in
y y y y y y y

People with family history of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases. People over 55 years of age Obese people People with very little physical activities
Alcoholics

Tobacco smokers Drug users such as cocaine

People who eat junk food excessively

Pathophysiology of Hypertension The pathophysiology of high blood pressure is unknown in 95% of the cases in America. This type of blood pressure where exact cause cannot be pinpointed is known as essential hypertension. The hereditary factor may be one reason for essential hypertension. It is also observed that it affects more men than women. Diet and lifestyle also play a role in the pathophysiology. Overweight people often suffer from hypertension. Irregular sleep patterns also led to hypertension. Hypertension is seen in people with excessive salt intake in their diet. These people are called as 'salt sensitive'. Their bodies exhibit high blood pressure, when the amount of salt in their blood is more than the body requirement. Low potassium and calcium intake, stress are also the causes of with high pressure. Secondary hypertension is the condition when one can pinpoint the exact cause of hypertension. Kidney diseases is the most common factor for secondary hypertension. Hypertension can also be caused by tumors of the adrenal glands. These tumors or abnormalities of the adrenal glands cause excessive secretion of hormones that led to hypertension. Estrogen, the hormone found in birth control pills can also cause the blood pressure to elevate. Pregnancy is another factor, that causes hypertension. The development of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are also affected by hypertension. Hypertension reduces the elasticity of arteries causing other secondary conditions which lead to decrease blood flow and ischemic diseases. Hypertension induced arteriosclerosis may led to atrophy of renal glomeruli and tubules. This causes renal failure and may lead to death. Another serious complication arising due to hypertension is Cerebrovascular diseases. Coronary diseases are the most common cause of death for hypertensive patients. Treatment of Hypertension In order to control hypertension, you have to follow a healthy diet and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Hypertensive patients should
y y y y y y y

Quit smoking Reduce weight, if obese or overweight Eat less of junk food and more of fresh vegetables, fruits, low fat dairy products. Exercise regularly Consume about 2.3 gm of salt in your diet daily Reduce the intake of alcohol. There are several medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers which can be prescribed to keep hypertension in check

One should visit the doctor at least once a month to keep the blood pressure in check. It is not possible to prevent hypertension in many cases. But you can avoid it to an extent by following a healthy lifestyle. Prevention of the silent killer, will save you from many dreaded diseases in the future.

Alternative and Complementary Remedies for Hypertension Herbal Medicine

Lime blossom (Tilia europea): For treating hypertension associated with arteriosclerosis and anxiety, take an infusion. Pour one cup of boiling water onto one teaspoonful of the dried flowers; leave to infuse ten minutes, filter, and drink.

Hawthorn (Crataegus, various species). Hawthorn has been used as a heart tonic for centuries. Make a tea by adding one teaspoon of dried hawthorn herb to cup of boiling water. Drink up to two cups a day.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata). Chinese studies suggest that kudzu helps normalize blood pressure. When a tea containing about eight teaspoons of kudzu root was given daily to 52 people for two to eight weeks, 17 people experienced marked decline in their blood pressure. Kudzu is a powerful antioxidant. It has 100 times the antioxidant activity of vitamin E. Hence it also helps prevent heart disease and cancer.

Garlic (Allium sativum). Garlic is a wonder drug for heart. It has beneficial effects in all cardiovascular system including blood pressure. In clinical studies, garlic has been shown to decrease the systolic pressure by 20-30 mm Hg and the diastolic by 10-20 mm Hg. When people with high blood pressure were given one clove of garlic a day for 12 weeks, their diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced. Eating quantities as small as one clove of garlic a day was found to have beneficial effects in managing hypertension. The pharmaceutical mechanism of garlic's effect on blood pressure is believed to be related to its effect on the autonomic nervous system, lipid-lowering properties and perhaps its high content of sulphurcontaining compounds. Patients with high blood pressure were found to have decreased levels of sulphur-containing amino acids in their plasma. Use garlic in your cooking, salad, soup, pickles, etc. It is very versatile.

Saffron (Crocus sativus). Saffron contains a chemical called crocetin that lowers the blood pressure. You can use saffron in your cooking. (It is a very popular spice in Arabic cooking.) You can also make a tea with it. Many Indians add a pinch of saffron in the brewed tea to give a heavenly flavor. Unfortunately, it is very expensive.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). Valerian is good for hypertension. It contains a chemical called valerenic acid that inhibits an enzyme that breaks down GABA. GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid) is known to control blood pressure. Its effect on blood pressure may also be from its sedative action.

Mistletoe (Viscum album): Mistletoe is believed to function as a regulator of blood pressure, exerting a healing effect in both hypertension and hypotension. In Europe, mistletoe has often been combined with hawthorn (crataegus) in treating hypertension.