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Hypertension

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Submitted By mgolds69
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Hypertension is word that is used to describe high blood pressure .Blood pressure is the force the blood produces against the arterial wall as your heart pumps. The heart pumps the blood though the artery as it flows it pushes the blood against the walls of the arteries creating pressure. The higher the pressure is against the wall the higher the blood pressure will be. The pressure is related to the size of the artery which the blood passes through the smaller the artery is the higher the pressure will be. The pressure is measured in milliliters of mercury Blood pressure is at the highest when the heart contracts or pumps the blood through the arteries this measurement is called the Systolic pressure. The blood pressure is at the lowest when the heart is at rest or filling up with blood this measurement is called the Diastolic pressure. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers which is the Systolic number or the top number and the Diastolic number or the bottom number. For example the pressure is usually written as 120/90 mm Hg. According to the American Heart Association defines hypertension as any of the following “Having an untreated systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher. Having a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher .Taking antihypertensive, being told at least twice by a physician or other healthcare professional that you have hypertension" ( The American Heart Association 2011). Hypertension is referred to as the silent killer as there are little symptoms. Many people do not know they have it until they have complications. This is Mr. Garcia first visit to the Schroeder Family Practice he is here as Mr. Garcia was newly diagnosed with hypertension. The patient denies any complaints but was instructed to follow up after having a physical exam reveling hypertension. This patient was last physical exam prior to the last was six years ago

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