Guide to Understanding High Blood Pressure - Are You One of the 70 Million at Risk?

Understanding high blood pressure should be a priority for every American adult. HBP and hypertension is endemic in this country with 1 out of every three adults over 20 experiencing some level of high blood pressure. What follows is a quick guide to the disease and the treatments that are available.

How Big a Risk is the Disorder?

• According to the American Heart Association, over 70 million people have some level of HBP or hypertension.



• High blood pressure claims over 50,000 lives directly and contributes to over 300,000 other deaths each year. That's roughly the population of St Louis.



• African Americans have a higher likelihood of developing HBP than any other ethnic group, and they are more likely to develop it earlier.



• The disorder affects more men than women, however women have a higher incidence after menopause. Anyone over 60 can be expected to have an elevated systolic pressure.



• High blood pressure is known as the "Silent Killer" because it has no outward symptoms. It works over time, often years, constricting and blocking blood vessels and can result in heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, dementia or loss of sight. Further, by restricting blood flow and thereby the delivery of nutrients and oxygen, HBP can contribute to the failure of every organ in the body.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

• There is no definitive cause as yet. There are however, behaviors that are associated with it. Here's a short laundry list.



• Diets high in salt and animal fats.



• Sedentary lifestyle



• Obesity



• Unmanaged stress

What Treatments Are Available To Cure Blood Pressure and Hypertension.

• Currently there are over 200 separate brands of medication for treatment of the disorder. No single drug alone can cure the condition so doctors typically prescribe a combination. Then comes a period of adjusting doses to get optimal effects on the blood pressure while minimizing side effects of the medicine. "Cure" is really an inappropriate term. The objective of the drugs is to control the condition. Once a person is on drugs they are on drugs for life.



• HBP medication comes in four broad classes with sub classes in each. The broad classes are Diuretics or water pills, Beta Blockers, Ace Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers.



• Side effects of these drugs are a very real concern. Mild side effects include dizziness, nausea, frequent urination, dry cough, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and headache. However, there does exist the possibility of congestive heart failure, loss of sight and kidney failure.

Is there an Alternative To Drugs?

• Thousands of people with HBP chose to control AND cure their condition by making changes in their lifestyle. It is possible to bring down blood pressure by 20 points in a relatively short time (3 to 4 weeks) simply by adjusting diet, implementing daily mild exercise and controlling stress. However, just like drugs, once you change the lifestyle you have to stick to it for life.



• There are no negative side effects to a natural approach to curing; only the positive side effects of increased energy, weight loss and a longer healthier life.

I hope you have found this brief guide to understanding blood pressure useful and I would encourage you to learn as much as possible. Knowing the risks and knowing your options puts you in a better position to manage HBP.