Hypertension – The Silent Killer
Hypertension is when an individual’s blood pressure is higher than 120 mmHg and the diastolic is above 80 mmHg averaged over time. Blood pressure is the force that a person’s blood exerts against the wall of their blood vessels. This pressure depends on the resistance of the blood vessels, in particular, how hard the heart has to work. In patients 60 years or older who do not have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, the goal blood pressure level is now <150/90 mm Hg. In patients 18 to 59 years of age without significant comorbidities, and in patients 60 years or older who have diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or both conditions, the new goal blood pressure level is <140/90 mm Hg.