HYPERTENSION (high blood pressure)

 

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Blood pressure is measured as two numbers, written one over the other and recorded in millimetres of mercury – for example, 120/80 mm Hg. The top (higher) number is the systolic pressure – the pressure in the arteries as the heart is contracting – and the bottom (lower) number is the diastolic pressure – the pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed between beats. High blood pressure is defined as a repeatedly elevated systolic pressure of 140 or higher OR a diastolic pressure of 90 or higher.

Facts about hypertension

Globally, nearly one billion people have high blood pressure (hypertension); of these, two-thirds are in developing countries.

Hypertension is one of the most important causes of premature death worldwide and the problem is growing; in 2025, an estimated 1.56 billion adults will be living with hypertension.

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardio vascular diseases worldwide.

People with hypertension are more likely to develop complications of diabetes.

High blood pressure is called the “silent killer" because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not realize they have it; that is why it's important to get blood pressure checked regularly.

by American Heart Association