High Blood Pressure And Hypertension The Same Thing

High Blood Pressure And Hypertension: The Same Thing

High blood pressure, which is known medically as hypertension, causes the heart to work too hard because it has become more difficult to force blood through the circulatory system. Over time, this can result in severe damage to the heart's muscle and tissue. It also contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis.

Someone with hypertension or high blood pressure has a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, elevated blood pressure can lead to kidney disease, severe eye damage and loss of vision.

In the United States, almost 70 percent of people over the age of 65 have high blood pressure. It's also common for people of all ages who are overweight.

A number of risk factors are widely known to contribute to high blood pressure, although the exact causes are still somewhat mysterious. People who don't get much exercise and eat poor diets are likely to get high blood pressure. Heredity also seems to play a role.

High blood pressure can often be controlled with medications, but lifestyle changes are the best "prescription" for long term overall health.