Exposure to Agent Orange May Cause Hypertension

What is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange is an herbicide and defoliant that was used extensively during the Vietnam War, by the American military. Agent Orange was used to defoliate the trees to uncover enemy hideouts in dense jungles. Since its use, Agent Orange has been associated with numerous health problems. Side effects from this herbicide are still being investigated. If you believe you may have been exposed to Agent Orange, it is important you read this article.

Does Agent Orange Cause Hypertension?

According to the WashingtonPost.com, more than 70 million Americans suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure. Recent studies suggest that many of these cases could be a result of exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. In recent reports, ordered by the Department of Veteran Affairs, The Institute of Medicine reported that "Two recent studies of Vietnam veterans who handled Agent Orange and other defoliants indicated that they have higher rates of high blood pressure". The results of this study are consistent with other studies that have been conducted in the past. All of these studies have found a direct link to herbicides and high blood pressure. Risk of high blood pressure can be very serious, and adds another problem to the growing list of health concerns for veterans of the Vietnam War.

Dangers of Hypertension

Hypertension can be a life threatening condition, and should be treated immediately. Symptoms of high blood pressure often do not show until years later, giving it the nickname;" The Silent Killer". When your blood pressure is high, it puts extra pressure on the walls of your arteries. This added stress on your circulatory system can reduce blood flow and lead to a stroke or heart attack. An aneurism can also result from this extra pressure on your arteries. An aneurism occurs when a bulge forms in your artery, and bursts causing excessive bleeding. High blood pressure can lead to a variety of other problems, including: dementia, and mild cognitive impairment. This happens when your arteries, supplying blood to your brain, become blocked, and deprive your brain of much needed oxygen. High blood pressure may also severely damage your heart and kidneys. Coronary Artery Disease if common among people with high blood pressure. This disease prevents enough blood from getting to your heart, causing chest pain, and heart murmurs or a heart attack. High blood pressure may also cause you to have an enlarged left heart, since the left side has to work harder than it should. An enlarged heart can significantly increase your risk of a heart attack.

What can be done about Hypertension?

There are a lot of things that you can do to control your blood pressure. Maintaining a proper diet and having an exercise program can significantly help. Medications are available to help lower your blood pressure. There are a variety of prescription drugs available, but nearly all of them can cause harmful side effects. Fortunately, there are some alternatives to these drugs.

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