What is hypertension?Hypertension is described more simply as high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force that your heart uses to pump blood. High blood pressure is classified as being more than 140/90. 

 How do you get it?

Hypertension can occur as both an environmental and a genetic disorder. This is due to the fact that if hypertension runs in your family you are more likely to get it. You can also raise your risk by smoking and eating certain foods. 

What is effected?The organs that are directly effected by hypertension are the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. Everything that uses blood is indirectly effected though because there is more pressure in the veins. 

Diagnosis: When you go to the doctor for a checkup or anything else have him check your blood pressure and if he thinks that it is high then he will talk to you about treatment methods. 

Who gets hypertension? In the United States approximately

32% of the adult population has high blood pressure.   

Who is at risk?You are at a higher risk of getting high blood pressure if...

you have family with high blood pressureyou smoke

you are African-Americanyou are pregnant

you take birth control pillsyou are over 35

you are overweightyou are not active

you excessively drinkyou eat to many foods with a high fat or salt content

   

 

Symptoms:Chest pain Confusion

Buzzing found in the inner ear or noseIrregular heartbeat

Nosebleeds Tiredness

Vision changesSevere headache

Shortness of breathSignificant sweating

 

What is a good blood pressure?Normal Less Than 120/ 80

Pre-hypertension 120-139/80-89Stage 1 Hypertension 140-159/90-99

Stage 2 Hypertension 160+/100+ 

What does it effect?Hypertension effects the arteries, veins, and capillaries by putting more pressure on them. This could cause one of them to burst and you to bleed. 

Cures and prevention:There are a number of different pills you can take that lower your blood pressure. The best way to prevent high blood pressure is to exercise and practice healthy eating techniques.  

Contagiousness;Although high blood pressure is genetic it is not contagious and cannot be caught like a cold.

Prognosis:High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer because people can have it and not know that they have it. This is the reason to go to the doctor for checkups every year or so. If high blood pressure is caught it can be prevented    

Works Cited

"Frequently Asked Questions About High Blood Pressure." CDC. CDC, 23 Nov. 2009. Web. 14 Dec. 2009.

<http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/faqs.htm>.

"Hypertension." health.google. A.D.A.M., 2009. Web. 14 Dec. 2009. <http://health.google.com/

health/ref/Hypertension>.

"Hypertension." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 2000 ed. Microsoft, 2000. CD-ROM. 1 discs.

"Hypertension / High Blood Pressure Guide." webmd. N.p., 6 Mar. 2009. Web. 14 Dec. 2009.

<http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guid

e/blood-pressure-causes>.