Hypertension known as ?silent killer?

Causing few or no symptoms, hypertension has become known as the "silent killer." To diagnose it, you must have your blood pressure taken.

A normal reading is below 135/85. When it goes above this reading it should be followed closely. The diagnosis should not be made from just one or two readings. The blood pressure will vary depending on heart rate, level of excitement and just being in your doctor's office.

When the readings are consistently high, your doctor will consider several factors which may be affecting your blood pressure. Use of tobacco, alcohol, coffee and salt may contribute to the elevated readings. These are all life-style factors which can be changed. Losing weight and increasing your physical activity may be all that is needed to control mild hypertension.

When dietary and lifestyle changes do not control the blood pressure, medicines are usually started. A wide variety of medicines are available, and the best choice often depends on your age and medical conditions you may have, such as diabetes or asthma. Water pills, which remove salt and water from the body, or beta-blockers, which slow the heart rate, are often used first. They have proved their effectiveness over decades.

When the readings are extremely high, there is an immediate risk of a stroke or heart attack until it is controlled. Hospitalization to treat the blood pressure and protect against these complications may be necessary.

A person's blood pressure will typically increase with age, so yearly checks are needed. Early treatment can help prevent the complications of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.

Hypertension may be ?silent,? but it is easy to find. Look for it!

Dr. Nilfar Karimova practices at Medical Arts Clinic in Fairfield.