Hypertension (high blood pressure) can be present without symptoms for years. However, in the case of hypertension, silence is not golden. The presence of high blood pressure, even unnoticed, can be cause for the development of an array of other health conditions, including increasing the overall risk for stroke or heart attack.

Blood Pressure: An Introduction

Put simply, blood pressure is a calculation used to determine the amount of blood that is pumped by your heart in comparison to the amount of resistance created by this blood flow in your arteries. If your arteries are narrow, this increases the amount of blood your heart must pump, increasing overall blood pressure.

Blood Pressure: What is Normal?

There are certain ranges of blood pressure that are considered normal for the average individual. This range of blood pressure can range based on individual circumstances. Typically a normal blood pressure is less than 120/80.

The pre-hypertensive state, when a person is at increased risk for developing hypertension, ranges from 120-139/80-89. Hypertension is present in two stages, stage one ranging from 140-159/90-99, and stage two ranging from above 160/above 100.

Blood Pressure: What do the Numbers Actually Mean?

The first number, the numerator (top number) of the fraction associated with blood pressure measurement, is known as systolic pressure. This pressure is effectively the force the heart places on your blood vessels with each heartbeat.

The second number, the denominator (bottom number) of the fraction associated with blood pressure measurement, is known as diastolic pressure. This is the lowest pressure that is placed on your arterial walls during each heartbeat. This occurs when the heart is relaxed between heartbeats.

Hypertension: Risk Factors

The exact causes of hypertension remain widely debated and unknown. However, there are many risk factors associated with the development of hypertension.

• Age: The overall risk for the development of high blood pressure increases with age.
• Alcohol: Excessive alcohol use is strongly associated with high blood pressure.
• Heredity: High blood pressure is thought to have a genetic link as it tends to run in families.
• Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle that lacks the presence of exercise and adequate physical activity is correlated with increases in blood pressure.
• Race: High blood pressure is more prevalent in specific races, particularly African Americans.
• Smoking: Tobacco use in general is cause for narrowing and hardening of the arteries, which is associated with high blood pressure.
• Sodium: Sodium is cause for fluid retention, increasing overall blood volume, effectively increasing blood pressure.
• Stress: High levels of stress have been associated with the ability to raise overall blood pressure.
• Weight: Excess weight on the body is cause for high blood pressure, as all tissues require certain amounts of nutrients and oxygen, including fatty tissue.

It should be noted that while these factors increase your overall risk for the development of hypertension, none of these risk factors guarantee its development. It is essential that if you have a family history of hypertension to discuss options for the prevention or slowing of the progression of hypertension.

Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/blood-pressure-basics