Why Sudden Increase of 30 Million More Americans with High Blood Pressure?

Health Wellness

Last week, the health news was reporting an additional 30 million American adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Why the sudden increase?

The sudden increase is due to changes made by the American Heart Association, to the definition of what is hypertension. The change is due largely to a Virginia doctor.

The old definition for hypertension was having blood pressure reading over 140 for the systolic pressure and 90 for the diastolic. Normal pressure is 120/70 or lower. Anything in the range between the normal 120/70 and the high blood pressure reading of 140/90 is known as pre-hypertension, which means the person is in the danger zone that warrants action to be taken before it does reach the hypertension level.

The new standard lowers the systolic level for hypertension from 140 down to 130, which includes an estimated 30 million more American adults.

We’ve heard high blood pressure referred to as the silent killer, but do people understand what high blood pressure can do?

It can damage arteries and cause them to narrow It can also cause a weakened artery to expand and balloon, causing an aneurysm. In many instances, a ruptured aneurysm can be fatal, that’s what killed my grandfather – he had an aneurysm in his brain that suddenly ruptured, basically killing him within minutes.

High blood pressure can damage the heart by causing coronary heart disease and enlarging the heart, especially the left side. Over time, these strains can lead to heart failure and death. 

High blood pressure also affects the brain. It can lead to strokes, dementia, mild cognitive impairment (a pre-dementia stage) and transient ischemic attacks (frequently known as mini-strokes).

High blood pressure also affects the kidneys, generally due to the effects of the arteries leading into and out of kidneys. It can result in scarring, kidney aneurysm and kidney failure.

High blood pressure also affects the eyes. It can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, damage to the optic nerve and a buildup of excess fluid under the retina, all of which can lead to vision impairment and blindness.

High blood pressure can also have a direct impact on a person’s sexual abilities, especially men. The most common affect is erectile dysfunction, which is due to the arteries in the penis becoming hardened and narrower, which limits the blood flow. In women, it results in vaginal dryness and a decrease in desire and arousal.

High blood pressure can also increase the loss of calcium in the bones, reducing bone density which leads to osteoporosis and bone fractures.

High blood pressure has also been associated with obstructive sleep apnea whose symptoms include loud snoring and frequent short stops in breathing.

Some reports are saying not to be alarmed over the new high blood pressure standard or the reports stating that 30 million more people now have high blood pressure. But when you realize all of the damage high blood pressure can cause, more people should be alarmed. Check your pressure several times and see your doctor. Many people have no idea they have high blood pressure, hence it being called the silent killer.

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