High blood pressure (hypertension)
People that suffer from hypertension have high blood pressure within walls of their blood vessels. A higher blood pressure means that the heart needs to pump more blood, for it to reach the rest of the body. Blood pressure is typically represented as the systolic/diastolic, with the systolic being the highest blood pressure in the system and the diastolic the baseline pressure. Essential hypertension (primary hypertension) has no known cause, but several contributing risk factors (see below). When hypertension is caused by another medical issue, it is termed secondary hypertension. Blood pressure can be measured using a sphygmomanometer, which can be either mechanical or electronic.
Risk factors for essential hypertension: smoking, stress, obesity, drug abuse, high sodium intake, stress, family history and drugs (e.g. oral contraceptive pill).
Causes of secondary hypertension: include poor kidney function and inherited narrowing of the aorta.
Warning signs of advanced hypertension: headaches, rapid pulse, sweating, dizziness and shortness of breath.
Who to consult: Dietician, GP, herbalist, homoeopath, naturopath, musical therapist, nephrologist, pharmacist.
