Hypertension

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a serious condition that affects one in three adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s called the “silent killer” because people often have no symptoms, yet it can lead to some serious and sometimes even fatal conditions.

Your blood moves through your body at a certain rate. According to the American Heart Association, a blood pressure reading of less than 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. When you have high blood pressure, your blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure, putting more pressure on the delicate tissues and damaging your blood vessels. You are diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension) if your blood pressure readings are consistently above 140/90 mmHg.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

For most cases of high blood pressure there is no known cause. This is called primary hypertension. For others, certain medical conditions like kidney or heart conditions can cause high blood pressure. This is called secondary hypertension. Some medications like birth control pills or over-the-counter cold medicines can cause high blood pressure as well. Blood pressure may or may not return to normal upon discontinuation of the medication.

High Blood Pressure Risk Factors

There are many risk factors for high blood pressure. Some factors you can’t change. Others are modifiable based on your lifestyle. Risk factors you cannot change include:

• age: Older adults are at greater risk for high blood pressure.
• gender: Women over 65 are more likely to have higher blood pressure, and men under age 45 are more likely to have high blood pressure than women.
• race: African-Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure.
• family history: If your direct family members (parent or sibling) have high blood pressure, you are more at risk.

Factors that are modifiable include:

• being overweight
• not exercising enough
• eating an unhealthy diet
• consuming excess salt
• drinking alcohol
• smoking
• sleep apnea
• stress

Diagnosing High Blood Pressure

Your doctor can diagnose if you have high blood pressure by simply using a blood pressure monitor to measure your blood pressure. This monitor records your systolic blood pressure (SBP), the top number, and your diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the bottom number. There are a few types of high blood pressure depending on severity. They are:

• prehypertension: 120/80 mmHg or higher
• stage 1 high blood pressure: 140/90 mmHg or higher
• stage 2 high blood pressure: 160/100 mmHg or higher
• hypertensive crisis (a life-threatening condition): 180/110 mmHg or higher

Your doctor will also review your health history and risk factors and perform a physical exam to make a diagnosis.

High Blood Pressure Tests and Treatments

The test to determine if you have high blood pressure is simple and non-invasive. Your doctor will measure your blood pressure using a monitor with a cuff. Your doctor may do this several times over a few appointments to get an accurate reading because your blood pressure can change depending upon many factors, some as simple as your mood at the time the measurement is taken. Your doctor may also order:

• blood tests
• urine tests
• electrocardiogram (ECG)
• chest X-ray
• computed tomography (CT) scan
• reducing the amount of salt in your diet
• exercising and losing weight
• beginning a smoking cessation plan
• trying to reduce stress with some relaxation techniques

• Treatment for high blood pressure varies from changing lifestyle choices to using medications. If your increased blood pressure is not severe your doctor will probably recommend lifestyle modifications first. These include:

  • losing weight
  • exercising
  • eating healthy
  • reducing the amount of salt in your diet

  If this doesn’t work or if you have a more serious high blood pressure diagnosis, your doctor will probably prescribe medication. Drugs that help lower high blood pressure include:

  • diuretics
  • beta blockers
  • calcium channel blockers
  • ACE inhibitors
  • vasodilators

  Your doctor will monitor your progress and may increase the dose or change and add medications until you find the right one(s) that works for you. Your doctor will probably also have you monitor your blood pressure at different times during the day so you can see when it gets worse or better.

  If you have a hypertensive crisis you will need to be treated in the emergency room or intensive care unit, as this can be fatal. Your heart and blood vessels will be monitored and you will probably be on oxygen and receive medication to bring your blood pressure down to a safe level.High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.

  Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.

  You can have high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without any symptoms. Even without symptoms, damage to blood vessels and your heart continues and can be detected. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.

  High blood pressure generally develops over many years, and it affects nearly everyone eventually. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected. And once you know you have high blood pressure, you can work with your doctor to control it.

   
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  Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.

  A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren’t specific and usually don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.

  When to see a doctor

  You’ll likely have your blood pressure taken as part of a routine doctor’s appointment.

  Ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at age 18. If you’re age 40 or older, or you’re age 18-39 with a high risk of high blood pressure, ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading every year. Blood pressure generally should be checked in both arms to determine if there is a difference. It’s important to use an appropriate-sized arm cuff. Your doctor will likely recommend more frequent readings if you’ve already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Children age 3 and older will usually have blood pressure measured as a part of their yearly checkups.

  If you don’t regularly see your doctor, you may be able to get a free blood pressure screening at a health resource fair or other locations in your community. You can also find machines in some stores that will measure your blood pressure for free.

  Public blood pressure machines, such as those found in pharmacies, may provide helpful information about your blood pressure, but they may have some limitations. The accuracy of these machines depends on several factors, such as a correct cuff size and proper use of the machines. Ask your doctor for advice on using public blood pressure machines.

   
  
  
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