Why is high blood pressure a health concern?

Answer 1

Basically hypertension is high blood pressure that is above normal levels consistently for more than about 6 months. Common symptoms of hypertension are varied and difficult to diagnose. The only real way to know if you have hypertension is to have you blood pressure checked, most doctors do this as part of a normal examination. Blood Pressure Levels above 140/90 are considered 'high'. Systolic is the top number. Diastolic is the bottom number. Hypertension puts a strain on the heart by increasing its need for oxygen making it work harder than normal, over time this also causes the walls of the arteries harden. Hypertension is a major health problem, especially because it has no obvious symptoms. Many people have hypertension without showing any obvious symptoms. If you do not know your blood pressure, you should have it taken. People with high blood pressure often do not feel sick. In fact, hypertension is often called "the silent killer" because it may cause no symptoms at all for a long time. Your organs and tissues can be damaged by hypertension without you knowing or feeling any 'external' symptoms. If you have hypertension, then you will have a higher risk for Heart disease and other medical problems than people with normal blood pressure. Serious complications can be avoided by getting regular blood pressure checks and treating hypertension as soon as it is diagnosed.

Answer 2

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