Hypertension or high blood pressure can either be a condition on its own (primary hypertension) or can come as a symptom of or a byproduct of another condition (secondary hypertension). High blood pressure affects about 27% of American women that are aged eighteen to 74. The number rises with age however and 70% of women ages 65-75 have some level of high blood pressure. The condition affects African American at a higher rate than other ethnicities.
Hypertension does not tend to present any symptoms until there is a complication- most often these complications are a heart attack, a stroke or kidney disease. Hypertension might also be discovered by monitoring of the blood pressure - any number that is 120/80 to 139/89 is considered to be pre-hypertensive and should be closely watched. Lifestyle changes should be considered and strictly adhered to. These changes include losing weight, exercising and eliminating the other risk factors including smoking and excessive salt intake. Primary hypertension can be controlled with lifestyle and medication but cannot be cured. Secondary hypertension can be eliminated however, by eliminating the underlying cause.
The diet may be one of the easiest ways to help manage high blood pressure including using the DASH diet, (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) a diet that stresses fruits and vegetables and lowering the amount of meat and fats that are consumed. There are also some studies that show how protein, particularly soy protein and dairy protein can benefit the blood pressure.
Hypertension does not tend to present any symptoms until there is a complication- most often these complications are a heart attack, a stroke or kidney disease. Hypertension might also be discovered by monitoring of the blood pressure - any number that is 120/80 to 139/89 is considered to be pre-hypertensive and should be closely watched. Lifestyle changes should be considered and strictly adhered to. These changes include losing weight, exercising and eliminating the other risk factors including smoking and excessive salt intake. Primary hypertension can be controlled with lifestyle and medication but cannot be cured. Secondary hypertension can be eliminated however, by eliminating the underlying cause.
The diet may be one of the easiest ways to help manage high blood pressure including using the DASH diet, (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) a diet that stresses fruits and vegetables and lowering the amount of meat and fats that are consumed. There are also some studies that show how protein, particularly soy protein and dairy protein can benefit the blood pressure.