Not everyone understands what “hypertension” means, and as a result, some patients may not take their blood pressure medications as directed or manage lifestyle factors effectively, a new paper suggests.
More than half of people with high blood pressure do not have the condition well controlled, which may in part be because patients often believe hypertension means “too much tension,” or too much stress, the authors write.
In fact, hypertension refers to high blood pressure, which happens when the force of the blood pumping through arteries is too strong. Chronic high blood pressure, which affects one in three U.S. adults, can strain the heart, damage blood vessels, and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and death, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Hey, check out all the research scientist jobs. Post your resume today!
