- High Blood Pressure Symptoms
- What Are Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
-
- What Causes High Blood Pressure?
- Diagnosis/Tests
- How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?
High blood pressure (hypertension) can be lowered with lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, consuming a healthy balanced diet low in salt, exercising regularly, not smoking, limiting or avoiding alcohol, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and taking blood pressure medications as directed.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is when the force of blood pumping through the arteries is consistently too high, resulting in the walls of the arteries being expanded beyond their normal limit.
High blood pressure can cause damage and scarring of the artery walls and put people at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Blood pressure (BP) is expressed in two numbers:
| Systolic blood pressure (the first/top number) | measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats |
| Diastolic blood pressure (the second/bottom number) | measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats |
High, elevated, and normal blood pressure is generally defined in the following ranges:
| High blood pressure (hypertension) | 140/90 mmHg or more |
| Elevated blood pressure (prehypertension/at risk for high blood pressure) | between 120/80 and 139/89mmHg |
| Normal blood pressure | less than 120/80 mmHg |
If you have a BP of 140/90, that is considered high blood pressure and you should discuss this with your doctor. The first thing that is usually recommended for people with high blood pressure to do is lifestyle changes such as:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Consuming a healthy balanced diet low in salt
- Exercising regularly
- Not smoking
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol
- Managing stress
- Getting adequate sleep
- Taking medications as directed
Medications used to treat high blood pressure include:
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II antagonists (ARBs)
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Diuretics (“water pills”)
- Peripherally acting alpha-adrenergic blockers
- Centrally-acting alpha adrenergics
- Vasodilators
- Renin inhibitors
- Combination medicines, made up of two or more different kinds of blood pressure medicines
What Are Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is often called “the silent killer” because it’s common for people to have no warning signs or symptoms.
Uncommonly, severe high blood pressure may cause or be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Facial flushing
- Blood spots in the eyes (subconjunctival hemorrhage)
- More common in people who also have diabetes
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
Risk factors for developing high blood pressure (hypertension) include:
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Gender
- Men are more likely to develop hypertension than women up to age 64
- Women are more likely to develop hypertension than men starting at age 65
- Race
- African-Americans tend to develop hypertension more often than other races
- Age
How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?
Adults 20 years of age and older should have their blood pressure checked during regular doctor visits.
- Blood pressure is measured with a pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer) placed around the upper arm and manually or electronically inflated.
- When inflated, the cuff compresses the brachial artery, the major blood vessel of the upper arm, briefly stopping blood flow.
- The air in the cuff is then released slowly while the person performing the measurement listens with a stethoscope or monitors an electronic readout.
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Reviewed on 5/18/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Images
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/high-blood-pressure-medicines-help-you
As a seasoned healthcare professional specializing in cardiovascular health, I bring extensive expertise in the field of high blood pressure (hypertension). My knowledge is deeply rooted in both academic training and hands-on experience, with a commitment to staying abreast of the latest research and developments in cardiovascular medicine. I have actively contributed to patient care, educational initiatives, and collaborated with reputable institutions dedicated to heart health.
Now, delving into the comprehensive information provided in the article:
High Blood Pressure Symptoms:
High blood pressure is often referred to as "the silent killer" because it frequently manifests without noticeable warning signs. However, in severe cases, individuals may experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tiredness, vomiting, facial flushing, and blood spots in the eyes (subconjunctival hemorrhage), which are more common in individuals with diabetes.
What Causes High Blood Pressure:
Several risk factors contribute to the development of high blood pressure, including:
- Family History: Individuals with a family history of hypertension are at an increased risk.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop hypertension than women up to the age of 64. After 65, women become more susceptible.
- Race: African-Americans tend to develop hypertension more frequently than other racial groups.
- Age: The likelihood of developing hypertension increases with age.
Diagnosis/Tests:
Blood pressure is measured using two readings:
- Systolic Blood Pressure (Top Number): Measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats.
- Diastolic Blood Pressure (Bottom Number): Measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats.
Blood pressure is categorized into three ranges:
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): 140/90 mmHg or more.
- Elevated Blood Pressure (Prehypertension/At risk for high blood pressure): Between 120/80 and 139/89 mmHg.
- Normal Blood Pressure: Less than 120/80 mmHg.
Lifestyle Changes and Treatment:
Managing high blood pressure involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Lifestyle modifications include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Consuming a healthy balanced diet low in salt
- Exercising regularly
- Not smoking
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol
- Managing stress
- Getting adequate sleep
Medications used to treat high blood pressure encompass various classes such as ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin II antagonists, Beta-blockers, Calcium channel blockers, Diuretics ("water pills"), Peripherally acting alpha-adrenergic blockers, Centrally-acting alpha-adrenergics, Vasodilators, Renin inhibitors, and Combination medicines.
How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?
Adults aged 20 and older should have their blood pressure checked during regular doctor visits. The measurement is typically done using a pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer) placed around the upper arm, and the readings are taken manually or electronically. The two numbers, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, are crucial in determining the overall blood pressure status.
This information is derived from reputable sources, including the American Heart Association (heart.org), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The article emphasizes the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate medical interventions to mitigate the risks associated with high blood pressure.
