Lifestyle changes and Hypertension

Hypertension Introduction

The word “hypertension” as with many terms of modern medicine is derived from two Greek words, “Hyper” meaning excessive or above, and “Tonos” meaning tension, refers specifically to excessive pressure in the blood vessels.
The exact definition of an abnormal blood pressure is controversial and phrases which provide no information are routinely found in the literature, an example would be: that level of blood pressure above which investigation and treatment do more good than harm. There are clearer definitions from the World Health Organisation and the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-VI) in their sixth report provide a detailed definition of the stages of hypertension.

“Resting long-term blood pressure of over 140/90mmHg if aged less than 50 years, or of over 160/95 if over 50”
World Health Organisation


Classification Systolic
(mmHg) Diastoli...