HYPERTENSION – HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
As we age and develop arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, the vessels lose their elastic properties. The systolic pressure may rise but the diastolic pressure remains only slightly above normal. This form of hypertension does not often require treatment.
A persistent rise in pressure is either primary or secondary. Primary or essential high blood pressure is by far the commonest and the cause is unknown.
We know there is an hereditary factor, as it tends to run in families and is often associated with being overweight. A high salt intake is another factor thought to play a part.
Essential hypertension may occur in the young but becomes more common after the age of 40. It affects women more than men but is more severe in the latter.
It is a slowly progressive condition and may not cause symptoms until it has been present for many years. Occasionally, in less than one per cent, it rises rapidly and causes severe and dangerous symptoms and, if untreated, may cause death. This is called malignant essential hypertension.
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