The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estitmate that over 72 million Americans are currently diagnosed with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.  It is a serious condition and left untreated has serious consequences.  What makes high blood pressure so dangerous is that it has no real symptoms.  By the time a symptom is exposed, it is because damage has occured to one or more parts of the body and may be too late to remedey. Since May was High Blood Pressure Awareness Month, it is a good time to discuss the causes and preventions of this disease.

Basically, high blood pressure is just that.  The heart is pumpming blood at a higher than safe rate through the body.  Because the heart is working so hard, it can become enlarged and/or damaged over time. Veins and arteries can also become damaged. If inconsistent blood flow occurs, there are several organs that can be affected in a negative way.  Some of the results of untreated high blood pressure are:

-HEART FAILURE
-HEART ATTACK
-STROKE
-KIDNEY DAMAGE
-MEMORY LOSS
-VISION LOSS

Though these are some serious and sometimes deadly results, blood pressure can easily be mananged by the patient at home. If you find yourself diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will no doubt put you on some form of medication to control it and bring it to lower levels.  However, the easiest and most effective ways to treat or eliminate high blood pressure are through diet and exercise.  Overweight people are at a higher risk.  Foods that are high in fat, salt and cholesterol are common causes of high blood pressure. By avoiding foods such as these, you can lower the risk of developing high blood pressure.  Exercising, which any doctor will tell you, is a great way to lose weight and lower blood pressure.  Though it is possible to be slim and exercise and still develop high blood pressure,  you are definetly at higher risk if you are overwieght and out of shape. It is even possible, by weight loss and regualr exercise to lower your blood pressure to the point where medication is no longer needed.  Not only is this healthier in the long run, but it also reduces medical expenses and lowers the risk of future side affects to the medication. 
By checking your blood pressure regularly, whether it be at home, by your doctor or even at one of the machines located in many drug stores, you have a better chance at controlling it.  Blood pressure readings will be different at different times of the day for everyone.  Keeping a journal of your readings for your doctor will enable them to better treat your condition.  Don't let this "silent killer" sneak up on you.