Gail Gramling
Kinesiology 350-1
December 7, 2014 Repot on Hypertension
Most people who suffer with hypertension also known as high blood pressure do not usually show symptoms. This is why this disease is known as the silent killer. When symptoms of high blood pressure are detected it’s because the blood pressure has reached life threatening levels. Only a few people with early levels of hypertension may show symptoms such as headaches, nose bleeds, or dizziness.
Risk factors include age, older than 45 for men and 65 and older for woman. Race can also be another factor. African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure, suffer strokes, or develop kidney disease due to cultural norms. High blood pressure is also more common in women who take oral contraceptives. People who are overweight or obese have hearts that have to work harder to pump blood to their tissues thus causing hypertension. The lack of exercise is also a factor as well as chronic alcohol consumption and tobacco use. Even if you don’t use tobacco you may suffer the results from second hand smoke. Other factors that may result in high blood pressure are a high sodium diet, a low potassium diet, or a lack of vitamin D in your diet.
Hypertension awareness and treatment has improved tremendously according to surveys done from 1960 to 1991 by the American Heart Association. However, many people are still unaware of their risks or even their current condition and do not seek adequate