People often don’t know what causes high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, but it is the most common cardiovascular ailment. People suffering from high blood pressure generally come to know about it during routine checkup.

Blood pressure means the pressure or force that the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries as it flows through the body. Just like the water on the hose or the air on the tire, the blood also exerts some pressure on the arteries. So, when the pressure to too much, it can damage the arteries which can result in a heart stroke or other cardiac ailments.

High blood pressure is known to be the prime reason of cardiac attack and stroke. As many as 73 million of people suffer from hypertension only in the US.

Measurement of Blood Pressure

The blood pressure expressed through couple of numbers. The higher number is referred as the systolic pressure. It denotes the pressure on the walls of the arteries when the heart pumps the blood. The lower number is known as the diastolic pressure that represents the pressure on the arteries when the heart rests in between the pumping.

During the birth, the normal blood pressure of the child is 90/60. In case of a healthy adult, the normal blood pressure is 120/80. Don’t be alarmed if it shows a high value if you measure it immediately after playing a game of badminton or delivering a fiery speech. The blood pressure in our body keeps changing depending upon our physical and emotional state.

The normal blood pressure may also vary with each person. It also varies in different body parts. High blood pressure makes the heart overwork and thus puts pressure on it. Apart from damaging the blood vessel, it can affect the eye, kidneys and brain.

If a person’s blood pressure shows the reading of 140/90 or higher twice, then it can said that the person suffers from hypertension. Reading of 200/120 or higher warrants immediate treatment. But for persons with diabetes, even a reading of 130/80 necessitates immediate medical attention as diabetic persons are more prone to cardiac ailments.

Medical researches recognize 120/80 as threshold limit of high blood pressure. A slightly higher reading than this is known as pre-hypertension. This condition can lead to the damage arteries, brain, kidneys and heart. Hence, such people need proper medical treatment.

Notwithstanding this constant danger, many people are not aware of their condition. Hypertension is also known as the ‘silent killer’ due to the fact it does not really manifest in the form of some early symptoms, even though it can cause serious damage to the different organs in the body. When not treated, hypertension can result in cardiac attack, vision problem, kidney failures and strokes, which can sometimes prove to be fatal.

It can even result in heart failure. People suffering from this may have difficulty in breathing. Unusually high pressure in the range of diastolic of 130 or a systolic pressure of more than 200 is known as malignant hypertension. The condition of people suffering from this can worsen rapidly and can damage the organs. Hence, such people need immediate medical treatment.

But with proper care and attention, hypertension can be kept under control. The first thing you should do it keep a tab on your blood pressure at regular intervals.

Who are prone to suffer from hypertension?

The following groups of people are more prone to be affected by high blood pressure:

• Black people
• Are obese
• Are over the age of 55
• Lead a sedentary lifestyle
• Indulge in excessive drinking
• Smoke a lot
• Take a diet high in sodium and saturated fats
• Take medications like decongestants, NSAIDS and cocaine regularly

What Causes High Blood Pressure

Essential hypertension

In the case of 95 percent of people, suffering from hypertension in the U.S., the reasons for the ailment can’t be established. Such cases of hypertension are known as essential hypertension.

Although the causes of essential hypertension are yet to be fully understood, there are certain guiding factors. Hypertension is hereditary in nature and men are more likely suffer from it than the women. The chance of black people developing it is twice than that of white people. Black women suffer most from it after the age of 65.

Large intake of salt causes high blood pressure

It is also linked to the food we eat and the lifestyle we lead. A high salt intake is known to cause it. That is why high incidence of hypertension is reported in cases of people living in the northern island in Japan, who have the highest per capita intake of salt. On the other hand, people with little salt intake generally do not suffer from it.

Most of the people suffering from hypertension are ‘salt sensitive’, which means a small amount of salt more than the body needs, can accentuate the blood pressure. Diabetes, anxiety, obesity, consumption of alcohol, lack of exercise and inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium also causes high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension

If the reason behind the hypertension can be established, then it is termed as secondary hypertension. Kidney diseases are known to be the main cause of this. Other reasons can be tumors and secretion of too much by the adrenal glands. Pregnancy, birth control pills and some other medications also causes high blood pressure.

Anger can be the reason for many mental health problems. So, it is necessary to be enlightened about them and the associated dangers of suppressed anger along with the various ways to deal with it.

What is anger?

Anger is a normal and a natural reaction that comes from a feeling of disgust, dissatisfaction, irritation or hurt. Its intensity may vary from simple peeving to flaring rage.

Dangers of suppressed anger?

Anger, however normal or it may just seem to be, if suppressed can be the reason behind anxiety and depression over time. Any anger, when not vented properly, can wreak havoc in the mental as well as physical bearing of people.

Chronic anger is known to cause many health related problems like headaches, digestive disorder, skin problems, high blood pressure, depression and cardiac ailments. Moreover, it can also set in emotional disturbances that might result in violent behavior and crime.

How can you deal with your anger?

When you are overwhelmed with anger, try to rationalize the cause of your anger in a positive way. Take deep breaths slowly. Say to yourself words like ‘calm down’ or ‘take it easy’ in order to soothe your soul. Go on doing this till you are able to take control of your anger.

• It is a fact that venting your anger is better than suppressing it. Venting it properly is important; otherwise it may cause both emotional as well as social problems. Bouts of anger put pressure on the cardio-vascular system of the body, apart from creating stress and anxiety. It is important to channelize your anger in a positive way. Instead of being driven by rage, it is better to deal with things in an assertive manner.
• Talk to your family and friends about it. Proper counseling goes a long way in keeping your anger in check.
• Maintain a record of the situations and times that drives you to bursts of anger. This would give you an inkling of the impending bouts of anger.
• Try to rationalize the reasons of anger by putting yourself in other shoes.
• Look at the funny sides of life and develop a sense of humor.
• Be a good listener. It not only helps you to develop effective communications skills but also inculcates a good inter-personal relationship. This also helps to impose trust on others, thereby enabling you resolve issues of anger.
• Be assertive instead of being defensive or charged up with suppressed anger.
• Expressing yourself in a calm but sure way helps to deal with emotions. For this, you can learn the techniques of assertiveness from self-help books or even seek counseling from an expert.

Other ways to deal with your anger

In cases where it is not possible on your part to keep your anger under leash, then it is better to consult a psychologist or even a psychiatrist. At times, uncontrolled anger can become morbid. In such case, the psychiatrist would prescribe drugs to keep it under control.

But before that, other behavior change techniques should be tried. Hence, it is important to choose a mental health expert carefully. An able mental health will be able to thoroughly evaluate your behavior patterns and mental conditions and recommend methods of anger management.

This original article is presented to you by MyHealthToday.com © 2010