Hypertension (high blood pressure) is also known as the "silent killer".There are rarely visible symptons that you have high blood pressure. Pleople who's blood pressure is very high might start to experience headaches, visual disturbances, nosebleeds, nausea, sleepiness and sometimes even seizures.
Hypertension in people is one of the leading causes of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and premature death.
Statistics show that 2 out of 3 people are unaware of their condition.

What does hypertension mean?
High blood pressure( hypertension) develops if the walls of the larger arteries lose their natural elasticity and become rigid, and the smaller blood vessels become narrower. Now your hart has to work twice as hard to pump all the blood through your body. The increased workload can make the heart become weak and lead to heart failure. Patient experience shortness of breath and tiredness.

Risk Factors for high blood pressure
- AGE ( the risk increases with age. It occurs more often in men over the age of 35)
- LACK OF EXERCISE
- SMOKING
- OVERWEIGHT ( people with lots of fat around the stomach area are at high risk)
- UNHEALTHY DIET ( to much salt)
- STRESS
- PREGNANCY (it's called pre-eclampsia)
- FAMILY HISTORY
- ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
- CERTAIN MEDICATIONS (inflammatory drugs, steroids and birth control pills)

Women who suffers from high blood pressure may develop pre-eclampsia when they are pregnant. Fortunately pre-eclampsia also called pregnancy-induced hypertension is uncommon and occurs only in 5-10% of pregnancies.

Blood Pressure Levels
- Normal <120/80>180/110

Have your blood pressure checked at least twice a year. If you have a family history then have it checked more often.