Blood pressure above the normal is hypertensive disease, now one of the chief causes of death. The cause of hypertensive disease is not known positively, but contributing causes are the stresses and strains of modern life, the effect of psychic and emotional activities of the brain, the results of infections and poisonings and, conceivably, glandular and structural causes. A constant high blood pressure may be associated with headaches and a variety of pains. Such common symptoms as ringing in the ears have been attributed to high blood pressure. The danger from an exceedingly high blood pressure lies in the possible breaking of a blood vessel, particularly in the brain, which results in apoplexy or stroke. Overweight is considered by insurance companies to be a frequent associate of high blood pressure. A high salt diet has perhaps not been incriminated but a low salt diet is believed to be helpful in cases of high blood pressure. People suffering from high blood pressure should not indulge in exercises such as running or lifting heavy weights or in any type of activity which produces shortness of breath. Mild exercise and massage tend to produce relaxation. Emotional excitement, particularly anger, is to be avoided. Suitable sedative drugs may be prescribed to control excessive excitement. Up to the age of fifty, the blood pressure rises slowly from 120 with the heart contracted and 80 with the heart relaxed, to 130 with the heart contracted and 85 with the heart relaxed. The blood pressure may be higher in older people. Extensive studies have shown that higher blood pressures, even up to 160 or 165, may be carried without harm by some people. Actually, the exact relationship of high blood pressure to the length of life and the aging process has not been fully established. Many new drugs are now available for use in high blood pressure, including Diuril, Guanethidine and Alpha-Dopa.

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