Hypertension--General Facts

I have decided to spend some time including facts about hypertension on the blog site. This will be spread out over several entries to keep from overloading everyone at one time. Since it is a blog you will of course be able to scroll up and down to get the information you need. We will first start out with some general information about hypertension then get into some more specific information a little later. If you would like more information or need to get your blood pressure checked or checked out, call us at 662-690-5675.


Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Blood pressure refers to the pressure that blood applies to the inner walls of the arteries. Arteries carry blood from the heart to other organs and parts of the body.

An individual's blood pressure is defined by two measurements:

Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries produced when the heart contracts (at the time of a heart beat)
Diastolic pressure refers the pressure in the arteries during relaxation of the heart between heart beats.

Blood pressure is reported as the systolic pressure over diastolic pressure (eg, 120/70 or 120 over 70).

Untreated hypertension increases the strain on the heart and arteries, eventually causing organ damage. Hypertension increases the risk of heart failure, heart attack (myocardial infarction), and stroke.


The treatment of hypertension is the most common reason for office visits of non-pregnant adults to physicians in the United States and for use of prescription drugs
Analysis of NHANES data from 1999-2000 and United States Census bureau information results in an approximately 29 to 31 percent incidence of hypertension in the 18 year and older population of the United States.
This translates into 58 to 65 million hypertensives in the adult population in the United States, which is substantially higher than the 43.2 million estimate derived from the 1988-1991 NHANES-III survey.

The number of patients with hypertension is likely to grow as the population ages, since either pure systolic hypertension or combined systolic and diastolic hypertension occurs in over one-half of persons older than 65 years.

The rising incidence of obesity will also increase the number of hypertensive individuals.

Despite the prevalence of hypertension and its associated complications, control of the disease is far from adequate.
Data from NHANES show that only 34 percent of persons with hypertension have their blood pressure under control, defined as a level below 140/90 mmHg.
Slightly higher rates of control were reported in a regional population study (approximately 45 and 55 percent of men and women, respectively, have controlled hypertension).

Definitions of hypertension (high blood pressure):

Normal blood pressure: systolic <120 mmHg and diastolic <80 mmHg

Prehypertension: systolic 120-139 mmHg or diastolic 80-89 mmHg

Hypertension:
Stage 1: systolic 140-159 mmHg or diastolic 90-99 mmHg
Stage 2: systolic ≥160 or diastolic ≥100 mmHg

These definitions apply to adults on no antihypertensive medications and who are not acutely ill.

Next time we will discuss the risk factors for hypertension.

If you need you blood pressure checked as a screening or to see how your medications are working, stop by at your convenience and we will be happy to check it at no charge. If you blood pressure is elevated, we can help get it under control or make sure your regular doctor gets a copy of your reading(s) if you prefer.

If you are on treatment for high blood pressure and need further help or feel you need to be evaluated further, please make an appointment. We will be happy to help with your hypertension treatment.