High Blood Pressure
(Hypertension)

Q - What is high blood pressure?

A - An individual is said to have hypertension if his or her blood pressure is measured on more than one occasion and found to be persistently above the normal range for that age group.

Q - How common is hypertension?

A - It is estimated that about 15% of people worldwide are presently living with hypertension. This percentage is higher as the age increases. It is also higher in developed countries than in traditionally rural communities. However, the adoption of certain lifestyles associated with affluence and prosperity is causing an increase in the number of people with high blood pressure in these less developed countries.

Q - What causes high blood pressure?

A - Based on the different causes, high blood pressure can be split into two groups.

1. High blood pressure without a known cause - It is also called essential hypertension because medical science hasn't been able to identify its specific cause. Over 95% of people with hypertension have this form of hypertension.


2. High blood pressure with a known cause - It is known in medicine as secondary hypertension because it arises as a result of another medical condition. People with this form of hypertension make up less than 5% of the total number of people with elevated blood pressure. The causes of secondary hypertension include kidney disease, coarctation of the aorta (a blood vessel disease), some drugs like oral contraceptives, and some hormonal problems like thyroid disease and adrenal gland disease.

Q - Are there people who are more likely to develop hypertension than others?

A - Yes there are. Certain factors- behaviours, diets, environments, and family history- can make an individual more likely to develop hypertension. These are called risk factors. They include obesity, high salt and high fat diets, a blood relative already diagnosed with hypertension, ethnicity, and lack of exercise.

The good news is that if some of these risk factors are changed or avoided, the chances of developing hypertension can be reduced greatly. Learn more about the risk factors and how to prevent high blood pressure.

Q - What are the symptoms of hypertension?

A - In most cases, hypertension shows no symptoms that's why it's been aptly called the silent killer. When symptoms appear, they are usually symptoms of the damage done to the different organs of the body.

In cases of secondary hypertension, the symptoms are those of the medical illness that caused the blood pressure elevation.

It is advised that every adult should have blood pressure checks once every year. This should be more frequent if you have a higher risk of developing elevated blood pressure. Discuss the best check-up times for you with your physician or health care provider. Learn more about symptoms of hypertension.

Q - What blood pressure values are considered high?

A - It depends on the age of the individual, and the observed average value among individuals in that age group and environment.

However, irrespective of these factors, a blood pressure reading above 140/90 mmHg is considered high. Sometimes, physicians take 160/95 mmHg as the limit for people above 50 years old.

For these values to make sense, you need to understand what each value means and how blood pressure readings are taken.

Q - How is hypertension treated?

A - Hypertension is treated in two main ways.

1. Without drugs - In mild cases, this is a feasible option. It is called lifestyle modification and involves changes in diet, dropping harmful habits, starting exercise and more.
2. With drugs - In moderate and severe cases, drugs need to be taken to lower the blood pressure. There are different groups of drugs that can be used. Some work better in certain individuals than in others. In addition, there are some drugs that need to be given to people with severe cases of hypertension in order to prevent some complications from developing.

Find out more on how to control high blood pressure.

Q - What are the harmful effects of hypertension on the body?

A - A rise in blood pressure, on its own isn't a problem as long as the body can adapt to it. The real problem with hypertension is the damage it is capable of causing to the organs in the body. When these damages occur, they are called complications of hypertension. Complications usually develop in the absence of proper treatment. The common complications are those that involve damage to the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes. Learn more about the harmful effects of hypertension on the body.

Published - June, 2006