Hypertension, commonly known as elevated blood pressure is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. It is very important to have blood pressure measured and controlled on an ongoing basis. Individuals who also have diabetes must aggressively control blood pressure with ideal target of 120/90 mm Hg. Multiple risk factors require more aggressive control of blood pressure

That was a great post Amo, the effects of high blood pressure cannot be underestimated and failure to have it treated can drastically shorten life. I think that part of the problem with it is that unlike diabetes, someone with high blood pressure probably will feel no different and will have not clue that they have it until the doctor tells them.

High blood pressure has been linked conclusively to many other medical problems like blood clots, strokes, and heart attack which are seen much more frequently in people who have high blood pressure. Kidney problems, liver problems, and a number of hormonal disturbances can also contribute to or cause high blood pressure.

Another term commonly used in relations to hypertension is acute coronary syndrome? (ACS) This term refers to a group of related diseases that are all caused when the heart muscle is damaged. It is similar to angina, but is more advanced heart disease. The classic symptoms of ACS are chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and sometimes nausea or palpitations. Having ACS is not the same thing as having a heart attack, but heart attacks are considered to be a type of ACS.

Frequent headaches have long been considered a possible warning sign of high blood pressure. For decades, medical opinion was that people with high blood pressure seemed to get headaches more often. However recent search from Norwegian scientists challenges this observation.

For more on this visit the site of About.com for really interesting and simply put information.

Amanda - yes, thank you for your reply. Certainly, the population at large really needs to understand more about the 'silent killer' known as hypertension.
The key to a healthy life is to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. We really need to focus on having some form of physical activity incorporated into our lifestyle - this can be as simply as going for a walk for 30 minutes daily to more rigorous exercise one can do. I think it is important to find something you enjoy. It can be walking, swimming, cycling, training and exercising in sports specific activities with your children or grand children - just find something to maintain an active lifestyle. Further, we really need to place great emphasis on what we put into our bodies in the form of dietary intake. Avoiding high fat foods with saturated fats will also help in avoiding the clogging of our blood vessels - atherosclerosis - this also contributes to elevated blood pressure. Most important of all in dietary control of hypertension is maintaing a low salt/sodium intake in your diet.
So remember, keep your focus on exercise and make those important dietary adjustments.

You are so right Amo! Another very useful tip that I have done myself is to buy one of those blood pressure machines that you can use at home. The reason for this is that sometimes the anxiety of going to the surgery and having blood pressure taken makes it go up just at the thought of it! This way you can take readings at different times of the day at home while you re More relaxed and get a far more accurate picture. Taking readings at different times of the day also helps the doctor identify any times when your blood pressure is a bit higher and tailor your medication accordingly.

amanda - thanks for the great feedback. In fact you are right, i certainly think it is a good idea to purchase a home ambulatory blood pressure machine. this can mitigate the risk of evaluating blood pressure readings that are subjected to potential 'white coat hypertension' - this is the potential of just having elevated blood pressure readings when visiting the doctor's office and enduring potential nervousness. By recording daily blood pressure readings at different times of the day, this allows for better evaluation of actual blood pressure and more effective evaluation of potential hypertension and corresponding treatment options.