ABSTRACT
Hypertension, or chronically elevated blood pressure (BP), is the most prevalent form of cardiovascular disorder and one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease (Department of Health, Education and Welfare, 1974). In normal adults, ages 20 to 40, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ranges from 90 to 120 mm of mercury (mm Hg), and diastolic pressure (DBP) from 60 to 80 mm Hg. A diagnosis of hypertension is generally made if SBP consistently exceeds 140 mm Hg, and/or DBP exceeds 90 mm (Weiner, 1979).
