This is where the blood pressure goes up when they get it checked – usually due to anxiety. Some people have a condition known as "white coat" hypertension. With secondary hypertension, treating the underlying cause will often relieve high blood pressure. In the other 5% of cases hypertension is caused by another medical condition such as kidney disease, diabetes, or various adrenal gland disorders. This is referred to as “essential” or primary hypertension. In approximately 95% of cases there is no one specific cause of hypertension. Aneurysm (a bulge in an artery wall which, if ruptured, can lead to serious internal bleeding).People with prolonged hypertension are at greater risk of developing medical conditions such as: In general, the longer high blood pressure is present and the higher it is, the more likely it is that damage will occur. There are usually no signs and symptoms of hypertension until the condition has been present for a long time, causing damage to blood vessels and internal organs (particularly the heart and kidneys). It is recommended that people with a history of heart disease, diabetes, or a high risk of heart attack or stroke, lower their blood pressure to less than 130/80 mmHg.īlood pressure varies throughout the day in response to factors such as excitement, stress, and exercise. The New Zealand Heart Foundation says an ideal blood pressure for most people is 120/75 mmHg or less, while high blood pressure is when blood pressure is consistently around or above 140/90 mmHg. The lower number is the “diastolic” reading and is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed after a beat.The higher number is the “systolic” reading and is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, forcing blood around the body.A blood pressure reading is a measurement of this force and has two components: As blood travels from your heart it exerts pressure against the artery walls. General informationĪrteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to all parts of your body (veins are the blood vessels that carry your blood back to your heart). High blood pressure is preventable and treatable, through lifestyle changes and medications.
It is advisable, therefore, to have your blood pressure measured regularly, such as during routine visits to your doctor. Nearly two-thirds of people admitted to hospital with a heart attack have high blood pressure.
Known medically as hypertension, high blood pressure affects up to one in five New Zealanders and is a significant contributor to the incidence of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure is when the pressure of your blood on your artery walls is abnormally high, potentially causing artery damage and health problems over the long term.
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