High Blood Pressure or Hypertension What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood Pressure High blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats. High blood pressure or hypertension is present in both children and adults. High blood pressure is also known as the silent killer because there are no known causes for it and it creeps up on you.

High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is a sign that the heart and blood vessels are being overworked. If left untreated it can lead to congestive heart failure or strokes.

Blood Pressure Category Normal Less than 120 And less than 80 Prehypertension or The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is beating. The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. The Systolic pressure is always first and diastolic second.

Types of Blood Pressure Primary Hypertension-most common form occurring about 90 to 95 percent of cases unknown cause. Several factors include Family history obesity lack of exercise smoking High caffeine intake (according to studies)

Types of Blood Pressure Secondary Hypertension (Treatable) In this condition cause are known and treatable.The high blood pressure is secondary to another disease or disorder and the hypertension usually disappears when the disease or disorder is controlled or cured. Such conditions include: cirrhosis of the liver,cushing diseases, and certain medications just to name a few.

Statistics As many as 50 million Americans age 6 and older have high blood pressure. One in five Americans(and one in four adults) has high blood pressure percent don’t know they have it percent aren’t on therapy,26.2 percent are on inadequate therapy, and 27.4 percent are on adequate therapy

The Equipment to Measure Blood Pressure The sphygmomanometer – It consists of a cuff that fits around the patient’s arm – Two tubes: one is connected to the pressure control bulb and to the bladder inside the cuff. The other tube is connected to the pressure gauge The stethoscope – A bell or diaphragm – Tubing that carries sound to the listener – Ear pieces that direct the sounds into the listener’s ears

Inaccurate Blood Pressure Readings Use of a wrong size cuff An improperly wrapped cuff Incorrect positioning of the arm not using the same arm for all readings Deflating the cuff too slowly – Very important: Do not attempt to measure blood pressure using an arm that is a site of an intravenous infusion, paralyzed, injured, the site of an A-V shunt, or if edema is present