High Blood Pressure causes Early Death

High blood pressure can cut years from your natural lifetime, according to a study published in the journal Hypertension Monday.

The researchers used data from the Framingham Heart Study and found that men and women who had a normal blood pressure at the age of 50 lived on average 7 more years free of cardiovascular disease, compared to those who had hypertension at 50.

The life expectancy was increased by 5 years for adults with normal blood pressure. The findings indicate clear health benefits of a normal blood pressure.

It is difficult to differentiate between a shortening of life expectancy due to the high blood pressure in itself or the underlying conditions Editoral

Mechanism of Hypertension

The study raises questions relating to the implication of a high blood pressure. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is frequently a symptom of an underlying condition. Whilst it may produce health risks in itself, it is difficult to differentiate between a shortening of life expectancy due to the high blood pressure in itself or the underlying conditions.

More in depth coverage of high blood pressure can be read in the excellent review by Catherine Ford, here http://www.heartzine.com/heart-disease/187-Hypertension.html