High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

High blood pressure or hypertension is a generally symptomless condition in which blood pressure in arteries is abnormally high. Hypertension increases a risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, aneurysm and kidney damage. One can distinguish two types of hypertension: essential or primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Essential (primary) hypertension is when the cause is unknown. This form of hypertension is the most common and covers about 90 percent of cases. Essential (primary) hypertension is usually caused by several contributing factors: family history of hypertension (hereditary factors), obesity, high salt intake, smoking and emotional or physical stress.

Secondary hypertension results from specific diseases, disorders or other conditions. Kidneys (renal) hypertension affects the entire systemic circulation. Secondary hypertension can be also caused by hormonal disorders, pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives. In all secondary cases, the hypertension can be relieved by treating the underlying disease or condition.

Hypertension is known as a “silent killer” for it may be present for many years without any symptoms manifestation until the vital organ is damaged. A hypertensive patient often experiences the following symptoms: headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, flushed face and tiredness. If a person has high blood pressure that is severe or long-standing and untreated, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, restlessness, and blurred vision occur because of damage to the brain, eyes, heart, and kidneys. Hypertension puts an excess work load on the heart and the left ventricle in particular. It damages blood vessels all over the body. The vessels become weakened, clots are formed in them. Some vessels may rupture and hemorrhage.

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. B.P. readings are measured in millimeters in mercury. Blood pressure at the moment of heart’s contraction is systolic pressure.

The top number is systolic pressure.

v It is considered high if it is over 140 most of the time.

v It is considered normal if it is below 120 most of the time.

Blood pressure at the moment of heart’s relaxation is a diastolic pressure.

The bottom number is a diastolic pressure.

v It is considered high if it is over 90 most of the time.

v It is considered normal if it is below 80 most of the time.

Pre –hypertension may be considered when your top number (systolic blood pressure) is between 120 and 139 most of the time, or bottom number (diastolic blood pressure) is between 80 and 89 most of the time. If you have pre – hypertension, you are likely to develop high blood pressure. Essential hypertension cannot be cured, but it can be treated to prevent complications. In this disease the patient may need kidneys, heart and blood vessels examination. Alternative measures of treatment are usually used before medication prescription. Overweight people with high blood pressure and those with diabetes, obesity and high blood cholesterol are advised to keep to a diet, to do sports moderately, to decrease or give up smoking and to fulfill other points of self-help program. Patients with high blood pressure are also advised to monitor their blood pressure at home in order to follow the doctor`s recommendations regarding treatment in a better way. If a self-help program does not help to lower blood pressure, the physician usually prescribes diuretics and medicines which dilate the arteries to lower blood pressure.

Say it in English:

бессимптомноесостояние

опасность инсульта

можно различить

первичная артериальная гипертензия

вторичная артериальная гипертензия

причина неизвестна

наиболее распространённый

содействующие факторы

наследственные факторы

ожирение

расстройство

воздействовать на

гормональные нарушения

лечение основного заболевания

известна как

без проявления каких-либо симптомов

жизненно важный орган

повреждать

кровоточить

систолическое давление

считается высоким

не может быть вылечена

предотвратить осложнения

высокий уровень холестерина в крови

следить за уровнем артериального давления

следовать рекомендациям врача

программа самопомощи

понижать артериальное давление

назначать мочегонные препараты.

Answer the questions:

1. What is hypertension?

2. What conditions is hypertension a risk factor for?

3. How many types of hypertension can one distinguish?

4. What form of hypertension is the most common?

5. What are the contributing factors for the essential hypertension development?

6. What does secondary hypertension result from?

7. What symptoms do hypertensive patients experience?

8. What organs can be damaged due to hypertension?

9. What is systolic pressure?

10. What is diastolic pressure?

11. When is blood pressure considered to be high?

12. What is а self- help program?

13. What are diuretics used for?