Hypertension
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is the medical name for High Blood Pressure. It is not a 'disease' in itself but it is a significant risk factor in other diseases including heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. In fact, the UK Government has estimated that over one third of all deaths of people under 65 years of age are attributable to hypertensive causes!
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the bloodstream on the artery walls. If you imagine a build up of water pressure in a hose, you will have a pretty good image of the effects of high blood pressure on your blood vessels.
The considered normal pressure is 120 Systolic (ie. when the heart pumps) and 80 diastolic (ie. when the heart rests). These figures rise when the body is under physical or mental stress. For some people, the stress of visiting a doctor causes their blood pressure to rise. In fact, it has been estimated that as many as one in every five people diagnosed as suffering with hypertension are receiving unnecessary medication because their blood pressure rises in this way.(1) If this is applicable in your case, it is worthwhile buying your own sphygmomanometer to measure your own blood pressure.
When people suffer high blood pressure, it is not uncommon for them to experience giddiness, noises in the ear, headaches, digestive upsets, lethargy and trembling.