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Hypertension : High Blood Pressure

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HYPERTENSION
Summer 2015
Bhavneet K. Singh

High blood pressure

Definition: The heart is supplies the organs and tissues of the body with blood and nutrients it carries. It pumps blood into the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The blood that is pumped into these vessels puts pressure on the walls of the vessels. When the heart muscle contracts during each beat, the pressure rises as well. Blood pressure may be different at different times of the day. It is usually higher when someone first wakes up, after exercise, or when under stress. Having higher blood pressure for short amounts of time is normal, but when blood pressure stays high for most of the time, it can cause serious health problems. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a serious medical condition. It is defined as a chronically increased systemic arterial pressure. It happens when the force of the blood pumping through the arteries is too strong. About 7 million people die each year in the United States from illnesses caused by high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is measured in units of “millimeters of mercury” written mm Hg. When measuring blood pressure, there are two different values. Systolic blood pressure is taken while the heart muscle is contracting and pumping oxygen-rich blood into the blood vessels. Diastolic blood pressure is taken while the muscle is relaxing and refilling with blood. Blood pressure measurements are given in pairs, with the upper (systolic) value first

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