What is blood pressure?
The blood pressure is higher while the heart contracts (systole) and lower while the heart relaxes and expands (diastole).
The typical values for normal blood pressure are 120 x 80 mmHg .
Blood pressure whose values are above 140/90 is considered high blood pressure
Some factors that increase the risk of high blood pressure are the lack of physical activity or too little physical activity and being overweight.
In elderly patients there is probably another mechanism that causes high blood pressure: the hardening of the blood vessels.
Causes
Sometimes kidney problems, hormone problems, taking medication, etc. causes the blood pressure to rise. Such hypertension is called “secondary”.
secondary hypertension
Malignant hypertension is very high blood pressure (more than 180/110) that usually rises suddenly and very quickly.
malignant hypertension
High blood pressure is a very common condition, and family doctors are knowledgeable and experienced in diagnosing and treating it.