1
00:00:02,921 --> 00:00:05,555
Blood exerts
a certain amount of pressure

2
00:00:06,043 --> 00:00:08,545
on the walls of the arteries
as it flows through the body.

3
00:00:09,418 --> 00:00:11,096
This is determined
by the amount of blood

4
00:00:11,144 --> 00:00:12,115
pumped by your heart

5
00:00:12,252 --> 00:00:15,740
and the resistance
to the flow exhibited by your vessels.

6
00:00:16,442 --> 00:00:18,543
Hypertension or high blood pressure

7
00:00:18,862 --> 00:00:21,715
is a condition
in which the long term pressure

8
00:00:22,028 --> 00:00:23,145
within the blood vessels

9
00:00:23,170 --> 00:00:25,619
is elevated above the normal range.

10
00:00:26,197 --> 00:00:28,823
Over time,
hypertension can damage your heart,

11
00:00:29,406 --> 00:00:32,031
blood vessels
and the organs they supply,

12
00:00:32,351 --> 00:00:36,324
and lead to heart attack,
stroke and heart disease.

13
00:00:37,563 --> 00:00:38,315
Causes.

14
00:00:38,777 --> 00:00:40,854
The most common form of hypertension

15
00:00:40,913 --> 00:00:43,999
is primary or essential hypertension,

16
00:00:44,543 --> 00:00:46,975
which does not have
an identifiable cause

17
00:00:47,166 --> 00:00:48,887
and develops over time.

18
00:00:49,178 --> 00:00:52,388
However, secondary hypertension
is blood pressure

19
00:00:52,413 --> 00:00:54,697
that is higher
than primary hypertension,

20
00:00:55,147 --> 00:00:56,251
can occur suddenly

21
00:00:56,728 --> 00:00:59,139
and is associated
with an underlying condition.

22
00:00:59,801 --> 00:01:00,845
Some of the factors

23
00:01:00,870 --> 00:01:03,558
that can increase your risk
of developing hypertension

24
00:01:03,583 --> 00:01:08,220
include being of African descent,
increasing age,

25
00:01:08,558 --> 00:01:13,524
smoking, excess alcohol intake,
drug abuse,

26
00:01:13,868 --> 00:01:18,910
obesity, stress, poor diet,
lack of exercise,

27
00:01:19,381 --> 00:01:21,413
underlying chronic conditions

28
00:01:21,438 --> 00:01:24,655
such as diabetes and kidney problem,

29
00:01:25,014 --> 00:01:29,722
certain medications
and an existing family history.

30
00:01:30,605 --> 00:01:32,209
Signs and symptoms.

31
00:01:32,507 --> 00:01:35,195
Hypertension is usually not
associated

32
00:01:35,231 --> 00:01:37,422
with any visible signs or symptoms

33
00:01:37,677 --> 00:01:39,950
unless the damage to the vessels
and organs

34
00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:44,694
results in complications
such as a stroke or heart attack.

35
00:01:45,488 --> 00:01:48,144
Severe hypertension
may be accompanied

36
00:01:48,169 --> 00:01:52,177
by headache, nosebleed
or shortness of breath.

37
00:01:52,742 --> 00:01:53,906
Diagnosis.

38
00:01:54,391 --> 00:01:56,591
Screening for blood pressure
should be performed

39
00:01:56,616 --> 00:02:00,294
at least once every 2 years
after the age of 18.

40
00:02:00,959 --> 00:02:03,963
Blood pressure is measured
using an inflatable arm cuff

41
00:02:04,504 --> 00:02:06,001
with a pressure gauge.

42
00:02:06,641 --> 00:02:09,168
Blood pressure is measured
in millimeters of mercury

43
00:02:09,462 --> 00:02:11,193
and consists of two numbers,

44
00:02:11,396 --> 00:02:12,574
the systolic pressure

45
00:02:12,599 --> 00:02:15,909
is the measurement
as your heart contracts to pump blood

46
00:02:16,202 --> 00:02:17,403
and the diastolic pressure

47
00:02:17,403 --> 00:02:19,778
is the measurement
as your heart relaxes.

48
00:02:20,487 --> 00:02:26,969
A measurement below 120
mmHg for systolic pressure

49
00:02:27,485 --> 00:02:34,115
and 80 mmHg for diastolic pressure
is considered normal range.

50
00:02:34,508 --> 00:02:41,002
A systolic range of 120-129
with a diastolic below 80

51
00:02:41,211 --> 00:02:45,548
is considered elevated but not
diagnosed as hypertension.

52
00:02:46,066 --> 00:02:49,283
A systolic blood pressure of 130 and above

53
00:02:49,746 --> 00:02:52,659
 and a diastolic pressure of 80 and above

54
00:02:53,036 --> 00:02:54,763
 indicates
hypertension

55
00:02:55,237 --> 00:02:57,319
 which can cause damage to your heart,

56
00:02:57,834 --> 00:02:59,865
blood vessels and the organs

57
00:02:59,954 --> 00:03:02,628
that they supply if left untreated.

58
00:03:02,983 --> 00:03:06,218
Hypertension is further divided into 2 stages.

59
00:03:06,678 --> 00:03:13,258
Stage 1 hypertension represents a systolic
pressure range of 130-139

60
00:03:13,676 --> 00:03:18,898
and stage 2 hypertension indicates
a systolic of 140 and above.

61
00:03:19,323 --> 00:03:21,312
Once diagnosed with hypertension

62
00:03:21,693 --> 00:03:25,983
you may be asked to measure your blood
pressure at home and maintain a log.

63
00:03:26,573 --> 00:03:29,092
Your doctor will also evaluate
your medical history

64
00:03:29,371 --> 00:03:31,397
and perform a physical examination.

65
00:03:32,009 --> 00:03:33,292
Blood and urine tests

66
00:03:33,346 --> 00:03:34,714
and an electrocardiogram,

67
00:03:34,776 --> 00:03:36,943
which measures
your heart's electrical activity,

68
00:03:37,287 --> 00:03:39,999
may be ordered
to assess heart disease.

69
00:03:40,336 --> 00:03:40,992
Treatment.

70
00:03:41,344 --> 00:03:44,967
In cases of mild hypertension,
your doctor may recommend

71
00:03:45,014 --> 00:03:48,619
healthy lifestyle changes
to lower your blood pressure.

72
00:03:49,077 --> 00:03:52,094
You are advised
to eat a healthy diet with less salt,

73
00:03:52,737 --> 00:03:55,417
quit smoking, lower alcohol intake,

74
00:03:55,996 --> 00:03:59,771
exercise regularly
and maintain an ideal weight.

75
00:04:00,571 --> 00:04:03,800
When blood pressure cannot be controlled
by lifestyle changes,

76
00:04:04,105 --> 00:04:06,191
your doctor
will prescribe medication

77
00:04:06,225 --> 00:04:09,000
appropriate for your age
and medical condition.

78
00:04:09,740 --> 00:04:12,399
You will be advised
to visit your doctor regularly

79
00:04:12,468 --> 00:04:15,616
to have your blood pressure
and overall health assessed.

80
00:04:16,441 --> 00:04:19,968
Hypertension is a medical condition
that must be addressed

81
00:04:20,529 --> 00:04:23,130
to avoid serious health consequences.

82
00:04:23,850 --> 00:04:26,390
High blood pressure
can be detected early

83
00:04:26,706 --> 00:04:28,002
and controlled effectively,

84
00:04:28,027 --> 00:04:29,917
with regular visits with your doctor,

85
00:04:30,484 --> 00:04:34,775
healthy lifestyle changes
and adherence to the treatment plan

86
00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,288
advised by your physician.

87
00:04:37,184 --> 00:04:39,527
Maintaining blood pressure
at a normal level

88
00:04:39,870 --> 00:04:42,115
requires a lifelong commitment.