Hypertension High Blood Pressure (HBP)

By: Josh Jamaitus

What is it?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high, it will become dangerous and can damage the body in many ways. This is known as hypertension, or high blood pressure (HBP).

What is affected?
High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious condition that can lead to many conditions, some being fatal, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.

Who is affected?
Nearly 1/3 or 73 million of American adults have HBP, 31.7 percent of which are unaware they even have it. HBP is most common in adults over 35, but children can develop it too.

Likelihood of getting it?

There are two forms of HBP, primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension does not have an identifiable cause, but it will gradually develop over time Secondary hyper tension however appears more suddenly then primary hyper tension and can be caused by kidney problems, adrenal gland tumors, defects in blood vessels which one is born with, as well as certain medications, such as birth control pills, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs, and another main cause is the use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine and other amphetamines

My family history
My family has a history of high blood pressure, especially on my dads side. My dad, aunt, and uncle have it, my grandmother also had it.

Cures and prevention

Though there is no cure, there are many ways to prevent hypertension such as eating a better diet this may include reducing salt intake, be physically active regularly and maintain a healthy weight, limit stress, avoid tobacco smoke, and if you drink, limit consumption.

Current research
The mission of the American Heart Association's Council for High Blood Pressure Research (HBPR) is "to foster excellence in high blood pressure research and education" and achieve the association's objectives in the field of hypertension. Members support the association's mission of "building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. American Heart Association

credits
http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagen ame=highbloodpressure http://my.americanheart.org/professional/Co uncils/HBPR/Council-for-High-Blood-PressureResearch_UCM_320263_SubHomePage.jsp http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/ HighBloodPressure/High-Blood-Pressure-orHypertension_UCM_002020_SubHomePage.js p