INTRODUCTION: High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. It does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure.

Hypertension rarely has any symptoms, but it can create serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.

It makes the heart work much harder and can impair the arteries, causing them to narrow faster. It can also damage many parts of the body and is a major health problem in the USA affecting one out of every three Americans or 65,000,000 people, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

HYPERTENSION: Frequently referred to as "high blood pressure", HTN or HPN, is a medical condition that is caused by the blood pressure being chronically elevated and is considered to be present when a person's systolic blood pressure is continously 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or higher.

It is classified as either essential (primary) or secondary and is among the most common complex disorders, with genetic implication averaging 30%. High blood pressure can be a temporary or lifelong disease, depending on what causes it and is dangerous because it causes the heart to work harder than normal.

Pre-hypertension is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the high number, or between 80 and 89 for the low number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the pre-hypertension area. If your blood pressure is in the pre-hypertension area, it is more likely that you will develop high blood pressure unless you take preventative action. If you have this kind of hypertension, it may not be necessary to take medication.

HEART: Some people may not find out they have high blood pressure until they have problems with their heart, brain, or kidneys. If it is not found and treated, it can cause the heart to grow larger, which can lead to heart failure. With high blood pressure, the heart works much harder, your arteries take a beating, and your odds of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are increased.

If you don't have elevated blood pressure by age 55, you have a 90 percent risk of developing it at sometime during your lifetime, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Left uncared for, it will cause the heart to eventually overwork itself to the point at which serious damage can take place. About half of persons having first-time heart attacks and 2/3 of people having first-time strokes suffer from elevated blood pressure.

It has been shown that laughing heartily 100 times each day gives the same heart benefits as working out for 20 minutes?

TREATMENT: Treatment is focused on lowering water retention and reducing blood pressure to normal levels. When you first start treatment, your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly. He/she will review the information with you and decide if your treatment program is effective or if you need to make changes to it.

Among the 61 percent who are under treatment, only 35 percent have their blood pressure adequately controlled. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

CONCLUSION: Hypertension is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms and is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease and stroke. HBP is not evenly distributed throughout the population and occurs disproportionately more often in minority communities.

High blood pressure rates are also growing among American children, paralleling an epidemic of obesity. Hypertension in grownups will usually be measured on at least two different trips to the doctor before a diagnosis is made. It can be treated by both modifying lifestyles, usually as the first step, and, if necessary, with medications. Diuretics work in the kidney and flush out excess water and sodium from the body.

Nearly 1/3 American adults have high blood pressure. Once It develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. Fortunately, it can be easily diagnosed, and once you are aware you have it, you can work with your doctor to control it.