Hypertension is one of the most common diseases.  People with hypertension will not know about it unless they have a routine blood pressure taken.  The alternative is to come up with a complication of the disease such as heart failure, kidney failure or a stroke. That is the reason why hypertension is called the silent killer.

The disease occurs usually between the ages of 40 and 60.  Any occurrence at an earlier or later age should trigger medical investigations of another disease actually causing the hypertension.

The most common symptom of an uncontrolled hypertension is headache.

People with hypertension should eat right and exercise.  Overweight people with hypertension can often correct their condition just by losing weight.  It is important that all patients with hypertension decrease their intake of salt.  A less stressful life style may also help control blood pressure.

Often medications are used, even transiently, to achieve blood pressure control.  The most common are grouped in six classes.  Not  every patient reacts the same way to a class of medications.  Even in the case of essential hypertension, what is good for example for Whites may be detrimental to Blacks.

So a lot has yet to be learned about the disease . Often getting a specialist from the start is the right decision.

Keep in mind not treating your blood pressure is buying a ticket for a heat attack, for kidney failure requiring dialysis, or for a stroke. Sometimes to all of the above.

Related sites: www.nhlbi.nih.gov                               
                               www.niddk.nih.gov/