High Blood Pressure: Causes and Treatments

High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the most common health problems in adults. Although health care professionals are unsure of the causes, there are numerous options for medication to treat hypertension, and therefore the disease is quite manageable.

Blood pressure is measured when by two number, diastolic pressure and systolic pressure. Each time the heart beats, blood is pushed through the arteries, and the pressure against the artery walls is increased. In the moments in between when the heart beats the pressure lessens. Systolic pressure is the point in which the pressure is the highest and diastolic pressure is the point at which the pressure is at the lowest.

There is no known cause for high blood pressure, doctors and scientists are baffled by the condition – but some medications such as birth control pills are thought to heighten the chances of one developing high blood pressure.

Age, family history and genetic predisposition may all be contributing factors to the development of hypertension. Race and lifestyle are also contributing factors.

There are many things that we can do within our lives to decrease blood pressure, and increase our health. Losing weight and partaking in regular exercise is an important part of any treatment program because it reduces the pressure on the heart, and the arteries. Eating a healthy diet, as well as reducing alcohol intake can also decrease the stress from the heart.

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