What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition wherein the patient has an abnormally elevated blood pressure, which can lead to physical complications and even death, triggering heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms and chronic renal failures. This is caused by an increased pressure to the heart and the brain. Although blood pressure is variable around different parts of the body, if it is found to be consistently at 140/90 mmHg, then it should be seen as symptomatic of hypertension. This can be caused by an overactive renin/angiotension system, causing a higher retention of water and an increase of volume and therefore pressure in the blood. Additionally, an overtly sympathetic nervous system can create increased stress on circulation and other parts of the body. High blood pressure is also strongly associated with diabetes, and occurs in combination with insulin resistance in the body. Although there is no cure, doctors recommend lowering the intake of sugar into the body, as this elevates the blood, as well as antihypertensives, drugs which can significantly lower blood pressure. These and other diuretics can stabilize the blood and reduce the risk of disease and attacks.

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