Search

Hypertension is also known high blood pressure. Blood pressure moves blood from your heart through your veins and arteries. High blood pressure is dangerous because it causes your heart to work harder and increases your risk for heart problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Hypertension also increases your risk for various kidney problems and can even cause blindness.

It is often difficult to determine what causes hypertension. It can be a variety of factors which we will discuss, but sometimes it may be caused by medication that you are taking. This is then called secondary hypertension. It is usually impossible to know if you have hypertension and this is why regular visits to your doctor are imperative. You need to get your blood pressure checked in order to determine if you are in a safe range.

The good news is that hypertension is treatable. If you change your eating habits and make sure you get plenty of exercise you should be able to reduce your blood pressure. Your doctor may also prescribe certain medications that can help to lower your blood pressure but you should make these lifestyle changes as well. Reducing stress and learning how to deal with it is also beneficial.

Hypertension affects more those who are overweight. Thus, along with other lifestyle changes you also have to try to reduce your weight. Research has revealed that even a 10 pound drop in weight goes far in lowering your high blood pressure. Of course reducing weight is not an easy task and takes time to happen. You will have to be patient in the mean time.