High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) occurs when the pressure within the arteries show a consistent reading above 140/85 while a person is at rest. Over a period of years, such pressure will damage the walls of the arteries and contribute to their hardening resulting in arteriosclerosis. Hardening of the coronary arteries of the heart results in diminished flow and places the person at a higher risk of a heart attack.

The onset of high blood pressure is usually insidious, starting in a person’s thirties and early forties. Early detection and treatment are very important.

Although high blood pressure is a deadly disease often referred to as the “silent killer”, it is highly treatable and reversible if caught early. Depending on your age and overall health, you will be able to alleviate the problem by reducing your salt intake, losing weight, and quitting smoking. Adopting an exercise program is crucial in the reversal of many diseases including high blood pressure. Therefore, if you live a sedentary lifestyle, I recommend checking with your physician to inquire about an exercise program as soon as possible.

Having your blood pressure under control is important at any age, because it poses the risk of serious complications such as stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. Older people however, should take caution on how they lower their pressure. When an individual reaches sixty-five, the supply of blood to certain vital organs like the brain, the heart, and the kidneys, is not as great as in the younger years. As a result, the body compensates by increasing the blood pressure in an attempt to force the blood to these all-important organs. Therefore, abruptly reducing the pressure to these organs may result in an insufficient blood supply. Older people should work with their doctors when attempting to lower their blood pressure.

However, for younger individuals, reducing hypertension is a little easier. The main point of attack is to catch it early. It is very important to check your blood pressure regularly if you are high risk. People, who smoke, are obese, or live a sedentary lifestyle should have their pressure checked at least twice a day. If you notice that your blood pressure stays at or above the numbers mentioned earlier in this article, you must begin to take drastic action to lower your blood pressure immediately.