{{U}} (46) {{/U}} Yet, after wrapping a
flexible cuff around your arm and pumping it up, your doctor frowns and gives
you the bad news:you are one of the roughly 60 million Americans who have high
blood pressure. Because it can lurk in the body without your
knowing it, high blood pressure has been called the silent killler.
{{U}}(47) {{/U}} {{U}} (48) {{/U}} Depending
on how high your pressure is, how you live and what changes you're willing to
make in your lifestyle, treatment can be tailored specifically to you.
{{U}} (49) {{/U}} The first, or top, number is the systolic
reading, the pressure of blood against artery walls when the heart beats—the
period of highest tension. The second, or bottom, number is the diastolic—the
minimum pressure, between beats, when the heart is filling with blood and artery
walls are relaxed. If the diastolic goes over 105 and stays
there through several readings, that's the beginning of the danger zone,
moderate hypertension, and continued monitoring is essential. Once the diastolic
rises above 115, the condition is severe. A diastolic between 90 and 104 falls
into the gray area of "mild" hypertension.{{U}} (50) {{/U}}
A. These drugs can lower blood pressure by getting rid of excess fluid and
salt in the body.
B. It is the leading cause of strokes and a major factor in heart attacks
and kidney failure.
C. You've had no symptoms, no pain, no sense of being sick.
D. For the average adult, a healthy blood-pressure reading is 120 over 80,
or lower.
| E. Three-fourths of those with high blood pressure are in this category.
F. The good news is that thanks to an explosion of research,
science now knows how to defuse the danger, and control the
disease. |