Prehypertension-not Hypertension
Prehypertension, not to be confused with hypertension, is a condition where a person’s blood pressure is slightly elevated above normal level, but below the level of hypertension. If not treated rightfully, prehypertension will only gradually progress to become hypertension. Prehypertension refers to blood pressure on which its systolic ranges from 120-139 mmHg, while its diastolic from 80-89 mmHg. But it can be said that both prehypertention and hypertension have a rather similar risk level of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and renal failure.
Prehypertension was introduced not long ago, in the year 2003. Before then, there consisted of only two levels of blood pressure, one being at its normal stage, and the other is the deadly one, high blood pressure. All along, prehypertensive people feel comfortable knowing that their blood pressure does not fall under the dangerous zone. It kind of got people on their heels once they find out that their level of blood pressure is starting to be considered as at risk.
This prehypertension occurs to many people asymptomatically or without a clear cause, though many believe medical causes like kidney disease, adrenal problems may have an effect on its birth. Prehypertension may cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness, but these are considered to be common symptoms for many other diseases. The only solid way to detect prehypertension is for them to have their blood pressure diagnosed, to keep track of the blood pressure readings. Therefore, many un-diagnosed ones stay unaware of the fact they have a higher blood pressure than normal because of the lack of symptoms or signs. The lack of lifestyle modification will only lead to worsen condition of their current state, and eventually their blood pressure will breach over the limit to become high blood pressure. Researches have found that people with prehypertension are 3 times more likely to develop heart attack and have 1.7 times more probability to get inflicted by heart disease than people with normal blood pressure.
It has been estimated that 31 percent of adults in USA, have the hypertension, according to a data by National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2000. One major risk factor leading up to hypertension is obesity. More blood circulating to the blood vessels means more force on artery walls, thus increasing the pressure. Others include heritability, excessive consumption of sodium, compulsive smoking and alcohol intake, and lack of physical labor. Prehypertension is present more commonly in men, than women. But also, younger adults are more likely have the hypertension, partly because the older ones have elevated their blood pressure to the hypertension level.
As mentioned earlier, if one plans to avoid “upgrading” his condition to hypertension level, lifestyle modification is very essential. The treatment of prehypertension is virtually the same to that of hypertension: a lot of physical exercise, low-sodium and high-potassium diet, ceasing tobacco and alcohol intakes. These basic exercises will help to ease prehypertension.