Identifying hypertension

Hypertension is called as "the silent killer" because people with hypertension are often symptom free. Many people with hypertension are unaware of having the condition. In the olden days, hypertension was regarded as the disease of the rich, or the elderly, but this is no longer thought to be the case. Once hypertension is diagnosed, blood pressure should be monitored at regular intervals because hypertension is a lifetime condition. Hypertension can be defined as persistent levels of blood pressure in which the systolic pressure is above 140 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is above 90 mm Hg. In the elderly population, hypertension is defined as systolic pressure above 160 mm Hg and diastolic pressure above 90 mm Hg.

Hypertension carries the risk of premature morbidity and mortality, which increases as the systolic and diastolic pressures rise. There are two types of hypertension, they are primary and secondary. Primary (essential) hypertension is the common type of hypertension seen in 90% of the hypertensive population. Primary hypertension has no identifiable medical cause. The reminder develop elevation in blood pressure with specific cause (secondary hypertension), such as narrowing of the renal arteries, certain medications, organ dysfunction, tumor, and pregnancy. People with blood group A are more prone for hypertension.

There are many other symptoms which can reveal hypertension other than high blood pressure on physical examination. Changes that are noted in retina of a person with high blood pressure may be hemorrhage, exudates, narrowed arterioles, and in severe cases papilledema. Persons with hypertension can be asymptomatic and remain so for many years. Symptoms, when they do appear, usually indicate vascular damage, with specific manifestations related to the organ systems served by the involved vessels. Coronary artery disease with angina, pathologic changes in kidneys (nocturia and azotemia), stroke or transient ischemic attack, and alteration in vision may be manifested depending upon the blood vessel that is affected.

The incidence of hypertension increases with the ageing process. Prolonged elevation of blood pressure eventually damages blood vessels throughout the body, most notably in the eyes, heart, kidneys, and brain. Therefore, the usual consequences of prolonged, uncontrolled hypertension are failing vision, coronary occlusion, renal failure, and strokes. Try to identify the symptoms of hypertension and get treated as early as you can. It may save your life, and may even make your life easier if treated promptly.