High blood pressure is known in the medical community as the “silent killer”.  It’s known as the silent killer because it creeps up on you.  The cause is unknown, but experts believe that there are many different factors which lead to hypertension.

Experts feel they know the cause of approximately 5 % to 10 % of high blood pressure cases

Taking Blood Pressure

Secondary hypertension can include kidney abnormalities, a structural abnormality of the aorta and narrowing of certain arteries.  All of the above problems can typically be corrected with medical intervention.

The heart pumps blood through the body’s arteries.  The large arteries that leave the heart narrow into smaller arteries.  These are called arterioles.  The arterioles taper into smaller vessels, which are called capillaries.  The capillaries supply oxygen and nutrients to all of the organs throughout the body.  Blood returns to the heart through the veins.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, you’re adding to the workload of your heart and arteries.  It means your heart is pumping harder and your arteries, which are carrying the blood, are working under a much greater pressure.
For individuals who smoke, are obese, and suffer from diabetes and high blood cholesterol, such individuals are at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke.

Symptoms of low blood pressure include certain nerve or endocrine disorders, prolonged bed rest and a decreased blood volume, due to severe bleeding or dehydration.

Controllable risk factors for high blood pressure include:

-    Obesity
-    Eating excessive amounts of salt
-    Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
-    Lack of physical activity
-    Stress

Some uncontrollable risk factors for high blood pressure include:

-    Race
-    Heredity
-    Age

Stress levels are hard to measure from person to person.  Responses to stress vary from person to person too.  Persons who lead an inactive lifestyle may become overweight, which can increase their risk of developing high blood pressure.  Those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol regularly tend to have high blood pressure.  Obesity is a large contributor to high blood pressure.  If you have a BPI of 30.0 or higher, the likeliness of developing high blood pressure increases.  Many people see an increased risk of high blood pressure if they eat too much sodium or salt in their daily diet.  African American people tend to develop high blood pressure more frequently.  If your parents or close blood relatives have high blood pressure, you are more likely to become diagnosed with it as well.  Generally, the older you are, the more at risk you are for developing high blood pressure.