Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As the heart beats, it forces blood through the arteries to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the rest of the body. The strength of the blood pushing against the artery walls is blood pressure, which is measured in units called millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The top number in a blood pressure reading is the pressure when the heart pumps (systolic blood pressure), and the bottom number is the pressure between heart beats (diastolic blood pressure). In adults, a normal blood pressure measurement is about 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure is considered high when the measurement is 130/80 mmHg or greater.
Hypertension can have a variety of causes. Secondary hypertension results from other disorders that raise blood pressure in addition to other problems. Rare, genetic forms of hypertension are caused by mutations in particular genes, many of which help control the balance of fluids and salts in the body and affect blood pressure. The causes of essential hypertension, however, are not well understood. Essential hypertension is a complex condition with a variety of factors, both genetic and environmental, contributing to its development.
Hypertension affects an estimated 29 percent of adults in the United States. Prevalence of the condition increases with age, and approximately 63 percent of people over age 60 are affected. In African Americans, the condition is more common, starts at a younger age, and is more severe than in other populations.
Hypertension tends to run in families. Individuals whose parents have hypertension have an elevated risk of developing the condition, particularly if both parents are affected. However, the inheritance pattern is unknown.
Marc Humbert is in Paris, France. Humbert is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hypertension. He is also highly rated in 43 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Hypertension, Hypertension, Telangiectasia, and Asthma.
Dimitrios Tousoulis is a Cardiologist in Athens, Greece. Tousoulis is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hypertension. They are also highly rated in 44 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease, Hypertension, and Aortic Valve Stenosis.
Vallerie Mclaughlin is a Cardiologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Mclaughlin has been practicing medicine for over 33 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Hypertension. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Hypertension, Hypertension, Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, and Pulmonary Embolism. She is licensed to treat patients in Michigan. Dr. Mclaughlin is currently accepting new patients.
Published Date:updated Last, January
Published By: National Institutes of Health