Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is defined as a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140/90 mmHg (www.focusonhighbloodpressure.com). This definition refers to a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood flowing through your blood vessels against the vessel walls. It depends on your blood flow (how much blood is pumped by your heart) and the resistance of your blood vessels to blood flow. If this pressure is high, your heart must work much harder to maintain adequate blood flow to your body (www.lifeclinic.com). Hypertension is known as the "silent killer" because it does not cause symptoms unless it is severely high.…