#1 cause of Preventable death

Hypertension is a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (140/90 mmHg or greater). This occurs when the arteries become too inflexible to allow an ample supply of blood to circulate, especially under periods of exertion or stress, thus causing excess pressure against arterial walls.

The first line of treatment for hypertension is the same as the recommended preventative lifestyle changes such as the dietary changes, physical exercise, and weight loss, which have all been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. If hypertension is high enough to justify immediate use of medications, lifestyle changes are still recommended in conjunction with medication. Drug prescription should take into account the patient’s absolute cardiovascular risk (including risk of myocardial infarction and stroke) as well as blood pressure readings, in order to gain a more accurate picture of the patient’s cardiovascular profile.

ACTIVITY: Can you touch your toes? This can be a good indication of the health of your arteries.