{"id":5096,"date":"2025-02-07T05:39:05","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T05:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amanlilafiaclinic.ae\/en\/?p=5096"},"modified":"2025-02-07T05:41:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T05:41:47","slug":"high-blood-pressure-htn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amanlilafiaclinic.ae\/en\/high-blood-pressure-htn\/","title":{"rendered":"High Blood Pressure HTN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What is High Blood Pressure?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. It\u2019s measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure means the pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension. Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as 112\/78 mm Hg. The top, or larger, number (called systolic pressure) is the pressure when the heart beats. The bottom, or smaller, number (called diastolic pressure) is the pressure when the heart rests between beats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normal blood pressure is below 120\/80 mm Hg. If you\u2019re an adult and your systolic pressure is 120 to129, and your diastolic pressure is less than 80, you have elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is a systolic pressure of 130 or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 80 or higher, that stays high over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is High Blood Pressure called the \u201cSilent Killer\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms, that\u2019s why it is so dangerous. But it is important to know that it can be managed. Nearly half of adults over age 20 have high blood pressure and many don\u2019t even know it. Not treating high blood pressure is dangerous because high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. You should get your blood pressure checked regularly and follow any directions provided by your health care professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Am I at higher risk of developing hypertension? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are risk factors that increase your chances of developing high blood pressure? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk factors that can be controlled<\/em> are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Cigarette smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Diabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Being obese or overweight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 High cholesterol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Unhealthy diet (high in sodium, low in potassium, and drinking too much alcohol) .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Physical inactivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk factors that can\u2019t be modified or are difficult to control<\/em> are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Family history of high blood pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Race\/ethnicity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Increasing age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Gender (men are more prone to hypertension than women). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Chronic kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Obstructive sleep apnea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What treatments are available for hypertension?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n