Hypertension: What is it and Why Should I Worry?

You may not be able to feel changes in your blood pressure, but these changes can seriously impact the health of your body. Everydayhealth.com explains that when you get your blood pressure measured, it gives doctors a peek into the health of your circulatory system. A high number means that you have hypertension. But you may be wondering, what is hypertension?

Hypertension is defined as being a condition in which your heart has to work overtime to pump the proper amount of blood throughout your body. As a result of this extra work, your heart can weaken and it can cause significant organ damage in the future.

Researchers claim that high blood pressure, or hypertension, is currently at its highest level ever throughout the world. In 2000, it was calculated that 972 million people were diagnosed as having hypertension. This number is alarming, particularly since hypertension can lead to other health complications and can even result in death. Some common causes of hypertension are:

Not getting enough exercise
A high-salt diet
Excessive alcohol
Tobacco use

Getting your blood pressure checked by your doctor is essential to help prevent hypertension from affecting your future. Hypertension can lead to serious health problems and often goes undetected until the effects have made too much of an impact on the body.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/hypertension/understanding.aspx