High Blood Pressure

Study uncovers mechanism for how grapes reduce heart failure associated with hypertension

A study appearing in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry demonstrates that grapes are able to reduce heart failure associated with chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) by increasing the activity of several genes ...

Cardiology created May 02, 2013 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Losing sleep? Scientists evaluate why

The issue of sleep deprivation has gone beyond the counting of sheep and into the scientific domain, as European researchers set up 'sleep labs' to study the biomedical and sociological factors keeping us ...

Health created May 03, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Anti-hypertension drug may improve schizophrenia symptoms

(Medical Xpress)—An anti-hypertension drug administered intravenously for a single four-hour treatment resulted in dramatic improvements of symptoms for people living with schizophrenia, according to newly published findings ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created May 09, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Diet, 'anti-aging' supplements may help reverse blood vessel abnormality

A diet low in grains, beans and certain vegetables—combined with "anti-aging" supplements—improved blood vessel function, in a study presented at the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular ...

Cardiology created May 01, 2013 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Mediterranean diet seems to boost ageing brain power

A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, indicates research published online in the Journal of ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created May 20, 2013 | popularity 4 / 5 (3) | comments 3

Sunshine could benefit health and prolong life, study suggests

Exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure, cut the risk of heart attack and stroke – and even prolong life, a study suggests.

Health created May 07, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1

Estrogen levels tied to risk for sudden cardiac death in study

(HealthDay)—Higher levels of the hormone estrogen are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in men and women, a new study suggests.

Cardiology created May 11, 2013 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Binge drinking in college can lead to heart disease later in life

Frequent binge drinking in college can cause more than a hangover. Regularly consuming multiple drinks in a short window of time can cause immediate changes in circulation that increase an otherwise healthy ...

Cardiology created Apr 23, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers' new diagnostic test can identify each person's optimal salt intake

(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have cut through conflicting advice about salt consumption by demonstrating that each person has a "personal salt index," an upper limit on daily ...

Health created May 01, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

'Traffic' in our cells works both for and against us

A mechanism that permits essential substances to enter our cells while at the same time removing from them harmful components also has a "down side." This negative aspect prevents vital drugs, such as anti-cancer drugs, from ...

Medical research created May 01, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study finds health insurance helps lower-income Americans avoid depression, diabetes, major financial shocks

Enrollment in Medicaid helps lower-income Americans overcome depression, get proper treatment for diabetes, and avoid catastrophic medical bills, but does not appear to reduce the prevalence of diabetes, high blood pressure ...

Health created May 03, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Carnitine supplement may improve survival rates of children with heart defects

A common nutritional supplement may be part of the magic in improving the survival rates of babies born with heart defects, researchers report.

Pediatrics created May 08, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

How to quickly spot signs of stroke

(HealthDay)—Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs on one side of the body, confusion and trouble speaking are among the signs that someone is having a stroke. The sooner a stroke is recognized ...

Cardiology created May 13, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Heart-healthy diet helps men lower bad cholesterol, regardless of weight loss

A heart-healthy diet helped men at high risk for heart disease reduce their bad cholesterol, regardless of whether they lost weight, in a study presented at the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and ...

Cardiology created May 01, 2013 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Study: Fish oil's work vs. heart attacks limited

Eating fish is good for your heart, but taking fish oil capsules does not help people at high risk of heart problems who are already taking medicines to prevent them, a large study in Italy found.

Cardiology created May 08, 2013 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0


Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure, sometimes arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. This requires the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and diastolic, which depend on whether the heart muscle is contracting (systole) or relaxed (diastole) between beats. Normal blood pressure is at or below 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is said to be present if it is persistently at or above 140/90 mmHg.

Hypertension is classified as either primary (essential) hypertension or secondary hypertension; about 90–95% of cases are categorized as "primary hypertension" which means high blood pressure with no obvious underlying medical cause. The remaining 5–10% of cases (secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attacks), heart failure, aneurysms of the arteries (e.g. aortic aneurysm), peripheral arterial disease and is a cause of chronic kidney disease. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure is associated with a shortened life expectancy. Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve blood pressure control and decrease the risk of associated health complications, although drug treatment is often necessary in patients for whom lifestyle changes prove ineffective or insufficient.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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