High blood pressure effects many people especially the individuals who are a bit overweight. When overweight, your risk of having blood pressure problems will increases.  However, by following our guidelines, you can learn then implement it in your lifestyle to have a healthier and longer life.

This is a very dangerous disease if not treated can be fatal.  It is very important to understand what this type of disease is, the overview, there risks factors, and how obesity can have a major impact on your body.

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Normally, when the heart keeps pumping blood into the arteries, the force of the blood flows while pushing against the walls of the arteries. In other words, the blood pressure is a simple product of blood flow times the resistance in the blood vessels. Knowing your high blood pressure symptoms can SAVE YOUR LIFE! 

Importantly, having high blood pressure may cause "NO" symptoms in the beginning, but it may cause some serious long-term complications:

• There are plenty of people that above average blood pressure.
  
• When having above normal blood pressure, complications includes heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, and etc.
  
• The people in the U.S are very aware of this disease.  Statisticly, having above normal blood pressure is the second reason to visit your local physician.

You measure blood pressure by using a "blood pressure cuff" that is recorded as two number similar to 120/70 mm Hg (known as millimeters of mercury):

• The top larger number is called the sysyolic pressure. The systolic pressure generats blood when the heart contracts blood (or pumps blood). It reflects the pressure of the blood against arterial walls.
  
• The bottom smaller number is called the diastolic pressure. This pressure reflects the arteries while the heart is filling back up and then resting between every heartbeat.

After examining the blood pressure of many different individuals, scientists have figured out an average range for both the systolic and diastolic pressure:

• Individuals whose blood pressure is continuosly higher then normal has hypertension.
  
• Hypertension is a continuous elevated rise in blood pressure such as of 140 mm Hg systolic and a 90 mm Hg diastolic or maybe higher for systolic or diastolic.

In the United States, there are about 60 millions Americans that have high blood pressure:

• That is just about every one in four adults ages of 18 and older.
  
• Without controlling your blood pressure can result in many deaths such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
  
• The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risck of having a heart attack and much more.
  
• Nevertheless, your heart disease blood pressure problem can be slowed down.

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What is high blood pressure is the amount of force in the arteries when the heart is beating known as "systolic pressure" and when the heart is resting "diastolic pressure". It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm & Hg). 

Hypertension can directly increase your risk of having coronary heart disease which can lead to having a heart attack and  a stroke, especially when it's present with other types of risk factors.

Hypertension can also occur in children as well as adults, but it is more common among individuals 35 years or older. It is definetly manifested on African Americans, middle-aged, elderly individuals, obese individuals, heavy drinkers, and women that is on birth control. It can also run through the families.

American Heart Association recommended blood pressure levels:

Blood Pressure Category	Systolic (mm Hg)		Diastolic (mm Hg)
Normal	less than 120	and	less than 80
Prehypertension	120–139	or	80–89
High
Stage 1	140–159	or	90–99
Stage 2	160 or higher	or	100 or higher

.......Your doctor or physician should simply evaluate unusually low readings.

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High blood pressure has to be treated early, on time, and effectively before  several problems such as heart attack, stroke, enlarged heart, and kidney disease occurs.

Many individuals can go on for years with hypertension without even knowing. That is why it is known as the silent killer. The only way to really know if you have this disorder is to have it measured by a healthcare professional to have it tested for further results.

Below is a list of very important to know risk factors:

• Primarily overweight/obesity.
• Lack of exercise or physical activity.
  
• Having an unhealthy diet.
• Stress, stress, and stress!!!
  
• Smoking any tobacco products.
  
• African Americans have a higher risk.
• Individuals older than 55 years.
  
• Family history of high blood pressure.
• Kidney disease.
  
• Cushing’s disease.
• Coarctation of the aorta.
• Medication side effects such as antidepressants, cold medicines, oral contraceptives.
• Recreational drug use such as cocaine.

Your main reason of joining "THE CHALLENGE" is to improve your health. Here are some of things you can do to prevent or control high blood pressure.

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Controlling an individuals high blood pressure and obesity is very important for health. It is time to act against these circumstances, so more American individuals can live longer and healthy life.

It is never too late to adopt a healthier much more fullfiling lifestyle to enjoy a longer and healthier life.

Important highlights:

• More than about a quarter of adults suffer lower back problems in the past three months. 
• Massive headaches or migraines affect about 15 percent of adults in the past three months.
• The life span at birth in 2002 reached 75 for males and 80 for females.  At the age of 65, life expectancy was almost 82 for men and 85 for women.  

Two-thirds of the high school students exercises regularly, but only one-third of adults are physically active.

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