High Blood Pressure

New protein-targeting drug shows promise in early trial for patients with high-risk CLL

A new oral targeted drug, idelalisib (GS-1101), has the potential to stave off the need for additional treatments for relapsed or treatment-resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), according to a study led in part by ...

Cancer created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Voluntary reduction has failed as processed and fast food salt levels remain high as ever

The dangerously high salt levels in processed food and fast food remain essentially unchanged, despite numerous calls from public and private health agencies for the food industry to voluntarily reduce sodium ...

Health created May 13, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Depression linked to almost doubled stroke risk in middle-aged women

Depressed middle-aged women have almost double the risk of having a stroke, according to research published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Cardiology created May 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Heart failure patients living longer, but long-term survival still low

People hospitalized for acute heart failure are likely to survive longer compared to the prior decade, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association and presented at the American Heart Association's ...

Cardiology created May 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Yoga may help ease high blood pressure, study finds

(HealthDay)—People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure—also known as hypertension.

Health created May 15, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Cellphone calls during blood pressure readings may skew results

(HealthDay)—New Italian research offers some cautionary advice for patients with high blood pressure: The next time you take a blood pressure reading, turn off your cellphone.

Health created May 15, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Australia: Stroke rates decline, but many still preventable

The rate of strokes suffered by Australians has dropped over the past 20 years, while strokes caused by an irregular heartbeat now account for one third of all strokes, according to new research led by the University of Adelaide.

Cardiology created May 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New research shows what raises and lowers blood pressure: Cell phones, salt and saying om

Considered the "silent killer," high blood pressure affects approximately one billion people worldwide, including one in three adults in the United States. From May 15 – 18, 2013, members of the medical community from across ...

Health created May 15, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Studies support population-based efforts to lower excessive dietary sodium intakes

Recent studies that examine links between sodium consumption and health outcomes support recommendations to lower sodium intake from the very high levels some Americans consume now, but evidence from these studies does not ...

Health created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | 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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