{"id":3746,"date":"2023-03-27T21:00:19","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T20:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/?page_id=3746"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:28:50","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T14:28:50","slug":"hypertension","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/hypertension\/","title":{"rendered":"Hypertension"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"3746\" class=\"elementor elementor-3746\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-65ee3ca elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"65ee3ca\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4dc2b0a\" data-id=\"4dc2b0a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86e64f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"86e64f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5>Arteries &amp; circulation<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b9d6d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5b9d6d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Hypertension<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-882974a\" data-id=\"882974a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a514a8e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a514a8e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-305d091\" data-id=\"305d091\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b202a44 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b202a44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7d3de4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7d3de4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What is hypertension?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8ad94a1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8ad94a1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8cee484\" data-id=\"8cee484\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-996d543 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"996d543\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hypertension<\/strong>, also known as <strong>high blood pressure<\/strong>, is a very common condition. Globally, an average of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/article\/S0140-6736(21)01330-1\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">one-third of all adults are affected by it.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have <strong>hypertension<\/strong>, the pressure of the blood being pumped out from the left side of your heart, through your arteries and into your body, is consistently too high. This puts a strain on your heart and your blood vessels, and long-term it can increase your risk of heart and kidney disease, stroke, and even dementia.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hypertension<\/strong> is famously referred to as a \u201csilent killer\u201d because it usually has no symptoms, and you probably won\u2019t know you have it unless you have a medical check-up.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b133e5 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6b133e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Normal blood pressure and hypertension<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b1f4af elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"6b1f4af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe width=\"400\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/anims\/b8\/b8_003.html\" frameborder=\"0\" title=\"animation of hypertension\" ><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-068eb20\" data-id=\"068eb20\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-329ba21 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"329ba21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>How is hypertension defined?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-601bee9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"601bee9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When your healthcare provider checks your blood pressure, the reading is shown as two numbers:\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first (higher) number is your <strong>systolic<\/strong> pressure. This is the pressure of your blood against your artery walls when your heart contracts to pump blood out into your body. Normal systolic pressure is 120 mmHg or less.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second (lower) number is your <strong>diastolic<\/strong> pressure. This is the pressure on your artery walls when your heart is relaxed and refilling. Normal diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg or less. Ideally, it should be around 70 mmHg.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your blood pressure reading is expressed as systolic pressure\/diastolic pressure, and a normal level is 120\/80 mmHg or less. (\u201cmmHg\u201d stands for \u201cmillimeters of mercury\u201d and is a standard unit of measurement for pressure.)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Definitions of normal and high blood pressure have changed in recent years, but most experts now agree that a systolic reading that is consistently above 130 mmHg paired with a diastolic reading that is consistently above 80 mmHg is problematic.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6130859 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6130859\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c36b551 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c36b551\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Blood pressure levels<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-8a2d062 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8a2d062\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6cd1680\" data-id=\"6cd1680\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe06ec5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe06ec5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Normal<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e88c24a\" data-id=\"e88c24a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0d8611 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b0d8611\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Systolic:<\/strong> less than 120 mmHg<\/p><p><strong>Diastolic:<\/strong> less than 80 mmHg<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-211b8d9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"211b8d9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d750009\" data-id=\"d750009\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6dbfd52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6dbfd52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Elevated<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-82f6304\" data-id=\"82f6304\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b78e7ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b78e7ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Systolic:<\/strong> 120-129 mmHg<\/p><p><strong>Diastolic:<\/strong> less than 80 mmHg<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-fc445df elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fc445df\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4cde0eb\" data-id=\"4cde0eb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed30232 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ed30232\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>High<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2ba95d1\" data-id=\"2ba95d1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-204d27a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"204d27a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Systolic:<\/strong> 130 mmHg or higher<\/p><p><strong>Diastolic:<\/strong> 80 mmHg or higher<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27a84d7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"27a84d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-918ab52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"918ab52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The chart above shows how normal blood pressure, elevated blood pressure, and high blood pressure are defined.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your risk of developing hypertension increases with age, although children and teenagers in developed nations like the US, which also have high rates of obesity and other lifestyle challenges, have been increasing for the past 20 years.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-caa2da6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"caa2da6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-94d4a80\" data-id=\"94d4a80\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8df91da elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8df91da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c944b1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c944b1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Why is hypertension a problem?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-73457f1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"73457f1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eb035b5\" data-id=\"eb035b5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ec0e38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ec0e38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hypertension<\/strong> is a serious health problem even though you can have it and experience no symptoms.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Long-term hypertension<\/strong> can damage your heart, your eyes, and your kidneys, and it can put you at risk of having a stroke or developing vascular dementia (this is a kind of dementia caused by multiple small broken blood vessels in your brain). All of these things are bad news.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The increased pressure of blood in your arteries can directly damage the artery walls, causing scarring and weakness. It is this weakening of the artery walls that<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0increases your risk of having a stroke or developing vascular dementia. It also increases your risk of having an aneurysm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, artery-wall scarring can cause <a href=\"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/atherosclerosis\/\">atherosclerosis<\/a> by encouraging the build-up of plaque, a substance made of cholesterol, fat, and calcium that can coat the inside of your arteries.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-810b306\" data-id=\"810b306\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22aecbf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22aecbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plaque deposits restrict the flow of blood in your arteries and, if they rupture, the fragments can cause a blockage that might result in a heart attack or a stroke.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>For more information about atherosclerosis and plaque, take a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/atherosclerosis\/\">Atherosclerosis<\/a> section.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42e42ec elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42e42ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Atherosclerotic plaque in an artery<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2c7593 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"c2c7593\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe width=\"400\" height=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/anims\/b8\/b8_001.html\" frameborder=\"0\" title=\"animation of atherosclerosis\" ><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-801b17c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"801b17c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A study published in 2010 estimated that <strong>hypertension<\/strong> had contributed to nearly 20% of all deaths that year. Globally, that equated to a total of 9.4 million people.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c06c6b9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c06c6b9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-482f746\" data-id=\"482f746\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d8d1d2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1d8d1d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b45a67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6b45a67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What causes hypertension?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-70e0510 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"70e0510\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e350d81\" data-id=\"e350d81\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc26545 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc26545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Some people are genetically predisposed to developing <strong>hypertension<\/strong> &#8211; it can run in families, and race can be a factor.<\/p><p>In the US, Black Americans are more likely to have <strong>high blood pressure<\/strong> than White Americans, and Hispanic and East Asian Americans are less likely.<\/p><p>Globally, people of South Asian origin (Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis) have a higher than average risk of developing <strong>hypertension<\/strong>.<\/p><p>No one is quite sure what genetic factors cause these racial differences.\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the time, however, <strong>hypertension<\/strong> develops as the result of lifestyle choices. Diet and exercise habits play a big part; if you are overweight, you drink too much, and you don\u2019t exercise, you are likely to have high blood pressure. Smoking and vaping can also be a factor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Hypertension that is caused by lifestyle or genetic predisposition is called <strong>primary hypertension<\/strong>.\u00a0 Ninety percent or more of all cases of <strong>hypertension<\/strong> are primary.<\/p><p><strong>Hypertension<\/strong> caused by other health disorders or by medications is called <strong>secondary hypertension<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-336b89e elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"336b89e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Primary hypertension<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72f67df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72f67df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypertension that develops as a result of age, weight, family history, or lifestyle is called <strong>primary hypertension<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often, if you have <strong>primary hypertension<\/strong>, there will be more than one cause. You may smoke and also be overweight, or drink too much and not get any exercise. Risks like these stack up, and once you add age into the mix, <strong>high blood pressure<\/strong> becomes more and more likely.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-710aea5\" data-id=\"710aea5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8096fa9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8096fa9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common causes of primary hypertension include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age: Being over 60 years old is a risk factor<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being overweight<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Diabetes or prediabetes (metabolic syndrome)<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of exercise<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drinking too much alcohol<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive stress<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Sleep apnea<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetic predisposition<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5eb2136 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5eb2136\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Secondary hypertension<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d0b5fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8d0b5fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypertension can also be caused by certain medications, including birth control pills and anti-inflammatory drugs, and by other diseases, especially kidney diseases. This kind of hypertension is known as <strong>secondary hypertension<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common causes of secondary hypertension include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certain medications, such as birth control pills\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kidney and renal artery diseases<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep apnea\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adrenal gland disorders<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thyroid disorders<\/span><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Rarely, a kind of tumor that secretes adrenaline<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1657672 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1657672\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dde40f5\" data-id=\"dde40f5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b399f0 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4b399f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ab2a35 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ab2a35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What are the symptoms of hypertension?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f2a6c7d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f2a6c7d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-91a3268\" data-id=\"91a3268\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-924469e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"924469e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hypertension<\/strong>, famously, has no symptoms until it reaches crisis levels (above about 180\/100 mmHg). If you have <strong>hypertension<\/strong>, you almost certainly won\u2019t know it unless your doctor checks your blood pressure and tells you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1138bde\" data-id=\"1138bde\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81d723c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"81d723c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disorders like <strong>hypertension<\/strong> illustrate the importance of having regular medical check-ups. Caught early and managed effectively, your <strong>hypertension<\/strong> can be brought under control and you can avoid the unpleasant long-term health effects of untreated disease.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-82786b6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"82786b6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2403302\" data-id=\"2403302\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb91fad elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"cb91fad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3384cf8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3384cf8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>How is hypertension treated?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-75d15362 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"75d15362\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d1fe6b\" data-id=\"d1fe6b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c76330 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c76330\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment options for <strong>high blood pressure<\/strong> depend on its severity and on whether you have <strong>primary<\/strong> or <strong>secondary hypertension<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have <strong>primary hypertension<\/strong>, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes and will probably also prescribe medication for you. If you have <strong>secondary hypertension<\/strong>, he or she will first want to treat the underlying cause.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Treatment options for primary hypertension:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lifestyle changes<\/strong>: Your doctor may recommend that you lose weight, exercise more, eat less salt, and drink less alcohol<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Medication<\/strong>: If lifestyle changes don\u2019t bring your blood pressure down to the normal range again, your doctor will prescribe medication<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-647ccd78\" data-id=\"647ccd78\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de4aa7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de4aa7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><b>Treatment options for secondary hypertension:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treating the disorder that is causing your hypertension (for example kidney disease or hyperthyroidism)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switching or stopping any medications that may raising your blood pressure<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-66a33d8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"66a33d8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6fc0a3a\" data-id=\"6fc0a3a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d12dedb elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"d12dedb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f4f952 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f4f952\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What are the aims of treatment?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e14f146 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e14f146\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ce6fa5a\" data-id=\"ce6fa5a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6971d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b6971d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The aims of treatment for both <strong>primary<\/strong> and <strong>secondary hypertension<\/strong> are to lower your blood pressure and bring it as close as possible to normal (120\/80 mmHg or less). <\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6850091\" data-id=\"6850091\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a02e1c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a02e1c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this can be achieved, it will significantly lower your risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, hypertension-related heart, kidney, and eye diseases, and vascular dementia.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arteries &amp; circulation Hypertension What is hypertension? Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a very common condition. Globally, an average of one-third of all adults are affected by it.\u00a0 If you have hypertension, the pressure of the blood being pumped out from the left side of your heart, through your arteries and into [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3746","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3746"}],"version-history":[{"count":311,"href":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15111,"href":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3746\/revisions\/15111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/heart-explained.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}