Hypertension.me Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
What is High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?
Of course, the simplest answer is that high blood pressure (hypertension) is the state that is present when blood pressure is higher than it should be. But sometimes our pressure is supposed to be high. These are not examples of high blood pressure per se because the pressure is supposed to go up under these conditions as the heart is pumping more vigorously. In fact, exercise is good for us >>>>
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What is High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?
Therefore, high blood pressure is rather, an inappropriate elevation of blood pressure. It is a state of continuously elevated pressure although it may vary from moment to moment in some and be steady in others.
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What is High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?
So, if somebody's blood pressure is not always elevated, they don't have hypertension?
Who said that? While most people with hypertension always have high blood pressure (unless treated), not all do. Those whose blood pressure is sometimes elevated and sometimes in the normal range are said to have "Labile Hypertension". ************************************************
Am I ready to take the Beginner's Hypertension.me Quiz yet? Not so fast, grasshopper... There is much to learn. What's your hurry? (this may be part of your problem). Take a deep cleansing breath and continue.... ************************************************
Is Labile Hypertension Dangerous? We do not know exactly what the long term outcome of people with Labile Hypertension will be compared to those with established hypertension. There are some studies, but not nearly as many as we need. Oftentimes, Labile Hypertension goes on to become established hypertension. ************************************************
Should Labile Hypertension be treated early? Whether to treat Labile Hypertension early or wait until the pressure is more continually elevated is a judgment call and may depend on what other conditions someone has or does not have. Some people with Labile Hypertension may have "White Coat Hypertension". ************************************************
What is White Coat Hypertension and Will I need to know it for the Quiz? First things first, of course you'll need to know if for the Quiz! A self respecting intermediate or advanced Hypertension.me student would be expected to know about it. You've already learned tougher things in the paragraphs above. White Coat Hypertension is the term used to describe people who have a tendency for their blood pressure to go up when they see their doctor. (We really hope you didn't think that you got it by putting on a white coat, although that probably happens to a lot of doctors come to think of it). ************************************************
Tell me more about White Coat Hypertension If White Coat Hypertension represents a form of stress induced hypertension and one's life is full of stress, then one needs to discuss this with your doctor to decide what you mutually think is best for you. In order to determine whether one has White Coat Hypertension, one needs to have one's blood pressure taken by a non-physician or by oneself away from the doctor's office. A 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device may be useful in such situations. Or take your own blood pressures and keep a diary of the conditions you were under when you checked your blood pressure. Bring the diary to the doctor to review with you. (Just make sure it is the right diary!) ************************************************