Hypertension

What is High Blood Pressure?
Everyone has blood pressure. It's the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. Your heart creates this force as it pumps blood to all parts of your body.

What Does High Blood Pressure Do to Your Body?
High blood pressure adds to the workload of your heart and arteries. Your heart must pump with more force, and the arteries must carry blood that's moving under greater pressure. If high blood pressure continues for a long time, your heart and arteries may not function as well as they should. Other body organs also may be affected. There is increased risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and heart attack. In most patients there is no discernable cause for their high blood pressure. In a small percentage of patients, however, their hypertension may be secondary to other conditions including blockage in the kidney arteries.

Why Should I Have My Blood Pressure Checked?
High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. That's why your doctor will want you to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

If your blood pressure is high, your doctor will want you to take steps to lower it. Usually some combination of diet, exercise and medication is recommended to bring blood pressure under control.

Many people with high blood pressure are also overweight. If that's true for you, a diet may be prescribed to help you cut down on calories and lose weight. If you're given a diet, follow it closely, including any advice about drinking less alcohol. Sometimes reducing the amount of sodium you eat can help lower blood pressure. If your doctor thinks this might help you, he or she will suggest a sodium (salt) restricted diet.

You'll have to avoid salty food, cut down on how much salt you use in cooking and at the table, and read package labels regularly to learn how much sodium is in prepared food. Exercise can also help you lose weight and lower your blood pressure. Check with your doctor before you start an exercise program, though.

It is very important to keep your blood pressure under control, so be sure to follow your doctor's advice.