what is hypertension?

what is hypertension?

Hypertension has been defined as a chronic elevation in blood pressure above 140/90. The etiology is unknown, in 80 – 90 % called essential hypertension. It could attack everyone, young or old person. Hypertension is one of dangerous disease. It couldn’t kill directly but may trigger other diseases which more dangerous and fatal. Based on study, high blood pressure could increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and renal failure.

High blood pressure or hypertension is often called the silent killer, because people could had high blood pressure for years without realizing until they have serious vital organ damage. 70% people with hypertension do not experience any symptoms so that they do not recognize that they have hypertension, while 30% of hypertensive patients complained of headache, neck pain, and palpitation.

Year by year, amount of people with hypertension have increased. One billion people in the world or one in four adult have high blood pressure. Even the hypertensive patient could reach 1.6 billion in 2025. So, it needs a serious management by the stakeholder or government to press and cut the death rate caused by hypertension.

Hypertension is one of the cardiovascular disease risk factors. Therefore, it is not surprising that people who suffers heart disease reaching more than 800 million over the world. Approximately 10 -30 % adults in every country have high blood pressure. If someone has been convicted of hypertension, he or she should start living with a healthy lifestyle such reducing the salt, quit smoking, take the exercise regularly, and staying away from the stress. Because untreated hypertension could trigger fatal disease like stroke, renal failure and heart attack.

What is the criteria of hypertension?

Joint National Committee (JNC) has already made a blood pressure standard that categorized as hypertension. Based on JNC 7, normal blood pressure is systolic blood pressure (SBP) below 120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) below 80 mm Hg. So, SBP 120 mm Hg and DBP 80 mmHg based on this guideline have been categorized as abnormal blood pressure which called prehypertension. Please check table below.

Table above show the new criteria of high blood pressure. So, if you have prehypertension, you could change your lifestyle become healthy lifestyle. While, if you have hypertension please consult to your doctor to get proper treatment. Click here to get what are the symptoms of hypertension