understanding what is Hypertension

Many individuals are confused by or desire to know what is hypertension? Medical personnel use the term hypertension to describe a condition in which a person's blood pressure exceeds the normal blood pressure readings. Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury and read as two numbers. The top number of the reading is called the systolic number and the bottom number is called the diastolic number. Both numbers are pressure readings. The readings are considered to be high if the systolic pressure is higher than 140 and the diastolic number is higher than 90.

When determining what is hypertension medical staff look at these two important numbers. These numbers describe the pressure within the blood vessels of the heart, both the systolic and your diastolic numbers. The blood pressure reading is made up of these two numbers together so knowing just one number does not tell the entire story. If your systolic number is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic number is between 80 and 89 you might be told you have pre-hypertension, which increases your risk for hypertension. Can you see now how determining what is hypertension and what is a normal blood pressure reading or what is pre-hypertension is based on both of these numbers?

A person's blood pressure reading can be affected by several factors so in general a doctor will only make the diagnosis after a person has had consecutive readings in the higher levels. Some of the factors that may have an impact on a person's blood pressure reading include how much water and salt have been consumed, the condition of the blood vessels, kidneys and nervous system, and also the levels of hormones. Your risk for hypertension also increases with age so age is also a factor.

When patients question medical personnel about what is hypertension they often are also curious about if they are at high risk for hypertension. These two questions usually go hand-in-hand. Individuals that are at higher risk for hypertension include those of African American heritage, those considered to be obese, individuals experiencing long-term stress or whom are consumed with anxiety, have a high sodium diet, have a family history of hypertension, have been diagnosed with diabetes or who smoke.

When explaining what is hypertension, there may be another term that is discussed called, "secondary hypertension". Secondary hypertension is a medical term for a condition in which a person develops hypertension as a result of another medical condition or medication. Secondary hypertension may be the result of alcohol abuse, atherosclerosis, an autoimmune disorder, chronic kidney disease, coarctation of the aorta, cocaine use, kidney damage as a result of diabetes, or as a result of endocrine disorders, or renal artery stenosis. Medications that can have the side effect of causing secondary hypertension include appetite suppressants, birth control pills, cold medications, corticosteroids, and medications taken for migraines.
Part of the dialogue between doctor and patient when discussing what is hypertension might revolve around the symptoms of hypertension, which include confusion, ear noise, fatigue, headache, irregular heartbeat, nosebleeds, and vision changes. It may have been one or more of these symptoms that brought the patient into the doctor's office.

There are medical tests that can be conducted that together with several blood pressure readings can help to determine is a person has hypertension. Tests that may be ordered are blood tests, an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram, a urinalysis and an ultrasound of the kidneys. All of these tests together with blood pressure readings will give a clear picture of what is hypertension for a particular patient. The readings and test results will be examined and discussed with the patient and a diagnosis given. If the patient does have hypertension a treatment plan will be designed that will help the individual control his or her blood pressure.

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