ABOUT CAUSES DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT NEXT STEPS
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. The force is made with each heartbeat as blood is pumped from the heart into the blood vessels. This is called systolic blood pressure. Blood pressure is also affected by the size of the artery walls and their elasticity. Each time the heart beats (contracts and relaxes), pressure is created inside the arteries. When the heart is relaxed, the arteries stay at a lower resting tone to maintain some pressure in the artery. This is called diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure is when the force of the blood is too high during heart contraction or relaxation within the arteries. The arteries may have an increased resistance against the flow of blood. This causes your heart to pump harder to circulate the blood.
These factors may cause high blood pressure:
More than half of all adult Americans have high blood pressure. You are at risk for it if you:
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. But you can find out if your blood pressure is higher than normal by checking it yourself or by having it checked regularly by your healthcare provider. Very high blood pressure can cause symptoms. These include headache, changes in vision, or chest pain.
Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope by a nurse or other healthcare provider. You can also take your own blood pressure with an electronic blood pressure monitor. You can find one at most pharmacies.
Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure:
Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are recorded as mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). This recording represents how high the mercury column in the blood pressure cuff is raised by the pressure of the blood. Blood pressure is rated as normal, elevated, or stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure:
Even higher blood pressure (with the systolic blood pressure 180 or higher, the diastolic blood pressure more than 120, or both) is called a hypertensive urgency if there are no related symptoms. Or it's called a hypertensive emergency if there are symptoms indicating damage to the brain, heart, or kidneys. If you have a hypertensive urgency, you may need a change in your medicine right away or be evaluated in an emergency room. If you have a hypertensive emergency, you will need to be evaluated in an emergency room; and likely have a stay in the hospital. A single higher blood pressure measurement does not always mean you have a problem. Your healthcare provider will want to see several blood pressure measurements over a number of days or weeks before diagnosing high blood pressure and starting treatment. Ask your provider when you should call if your blood pressure readings are not in the normal range.
Treatment for high blood pressure may involve: Lifestyle changes
These healthy steps can help you control your blood pressure:
Certain medicines
Sometimes you may need to take 1 or more daily medicines to control high blood pressure. Take it exactly as directed. If you have high blood pressure, have your blood pressure checked routinely and see your healthcare provider to watch the condition.
High blood pressure raises your risk for:
You can help prevent high blood pressure with many of the same healthy steps used to treat it. These are:
Key points about high blood pressure
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Medical Reviewer: Steven Kang MD Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN © 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. |