Hypertension is a major health problem in the United States. Early detection and treatment of hypertension as well as effects of exercise on hypertension is therefore an important health topic (Tanaka, Bassett, & Turner, 1996).
Hypertension is persistently high arterial blood pressure. Different classifications are noted. Accelerated hypertension is a progression marked by the funduscopic vascular changes of malignant hypertension without papilledema. Borderline hypertension includes arterial blood pressure sometimes within normotensive range and sometimes within the hypertensive range. Essential hypertension occurs without discoverable organic cause. Malignant hypertension is a severe hypertensive state with poor prognosis, characterized by papilledema of the ocular fundus with vascular exudative and hemorrhagic lesions, medial thickening of small arteries and arterioles, and left ventricular hypertrophy (diastolic pressures 130 mm. Hg or more) (Dorland's, 1988).
Hypertension is a disorder of cardiovascular regulation originating in an altered interplay of many factors. The asymptomatic stage of hypertension, is the benign stage before target organ damage is clinically apparent; classification stages include mild, moderate, and severe, depending on blood pressure levels and extent of target organ damage to the heart, fundi, kidney, and brain. In a study of 500 patients with untreated hypertension, who were followed until death, complications included cardiac hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, proteinuria, azotemia, malignant hypertension, and retinopathy (Grades II, III, and IV). In a study of untreated malignant phase patients, rapid progressive renal failure was the cause of death in most, hemorrhagic strokes and blindness may occur (Ask-Upmark, 1967; Rosenthal, 1982).
Treatment of hypertension includes the definition of different stages. During the course of primary ...