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[[Hypertension]] is abnormally high blood pressure. [[Blood pressure]] above 139/90 is considered hypertension. Hypertension is often life threatening.
[[Hypertension]] is abnormally high blood pressure. Hypertension can be life threatening if not treated. It can have no symptoms and is often only discovered during a routine visit to the doctor's office.
==Definitions==
[[Blood pressure]] above 139/89 is considered hypertension. The [[American Heart Association]] groups blood pressure into four categories<ref>http://americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2112</ref>:
* Normal (below 120/80)
* Prehypertension (120/80 to 139/89)
* Stage 1 hypertension (140/90 to 159/99)
* Stage 2 hypertension (160/100 and above)
Stage 2 hypertension needs aggressive medical attention because it can be life threatening, especially if one has an underlying [[heart]] condition such as [[Coronary Artery Disease]]. Possible adverse events that can result include [[heart attack]] and [[stroke]]. Even prehypertension should not be taken lightly however, and changes in [[diet]] and [[lifestyle]] can often reverse it.
The opposite of Hypertension is [[Hypotension]], referring to low blood pressure.
The opposite of Hypertension is [[Hypotension]], referring to low blood pressure.
==Treatment==
Among the steps one can take to reverse high blood pressure are:
* Reduce [[sodium]] intake (especially [[salt]]); do not add table salt to your (already too salty) food
* Reduce or eliminate consumption of [[alcoholic beverages]]
* Increase physical activity. 30 minutes or more of [[aerobic]] [[exercise]] daily is recommended.
* Lose weight
* Get enough [[potassium]], [[magnesium]], and [[calcium]] in your diet, or take dietary supplements
* Do not use or consume substances known to increase blood pressure, including [[licorice]], [[ephedrine]], and [[tobacco]] products
* Reduce the amount of [[saturated fat]] in your diet
If the above fail, or in cases of advanced (stage 2) hypertension, medications can be [[prescription|prescribed]] to more aggressively treat hypertension.
==References and notes==
<references />
[[category:medicine]]
[[category:medicine]]