Hypertension - Medline Plus

8/9/2019 Hypertension - Medline Plus

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Hypertension

Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as your heart

pumps blood through your body.

Blood pressure readings are usually given as two numbers -- for example, 120 over 0 !written

as 120"0 mmHg#. $ne or both of these numbers can be too high.

%he top number is called the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is called the

diastolic blood pressure.

• &ormal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120"0 mmHg most of

the time.

• High blood pressure !hypertension# is when your blood pressure is 1'0"(0 mmHg or

above most of the time.

• )f your blood pressure numbers are 120"0 or higher, but below 1'0"(0, it is called pre-

hypertension.

*atch this video about+Blood pressure

)f you have pre-hypertension, you are more liely to develop high blood pressure.

)f you have heart or idney problems, or if you had a stroe, your doctor may want your blood

pressure to be even lower than that of people who do not have these conditions.

Causes

any factors can affect blood pressure, including+

• How much water and salt you have in your body

• %he condition of your idneys, nervous system, or blood vessels

• %he levels of different body hormones

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ou are more liely to be told your blood pressure is too high as you get older. %his is because

your blood vessels become stiffer as you age. *hen that happens, your blood pressure goes up.

High blood pressure increases your chance of having a stroe, heart attac, heart failure, idneydisease, and early death.

ou have a higher ris of high blood pressure if you+

• /re /frican /merican

• /re obese

• /re often stressed or anxious

• rin too much alcohol !more than one drin per day for women and more than two

drins per day for men#

• at too much salt in your diet

• Have a family history of high blood pressure

• Have diabetes

• moe

ost of the time, no cause of high blood pressure is found. %his is called essential hypertension.

High blood pressure that is caused by another medical condition or medication is calledsecondary hypertension. econdary hypertension may be due to+

• 3hronic idney disease

• isorders of the adrenal gland ! pheochromocytoma or 3ushing syndrome#

• 4regnancy !see+ preeclampsia#

• edications such as birth control pills, diet pills, some cold medications, and migraine

medications

• &arrowed artery that supplies blood to the idney !renal artery stenosis#

• Hyperparathyroidism

Symptoms

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ost of the time, there are no symptoms. 5or most patients, high blood pressure is found when

they visit their health care provider or have it checed elsewhere.

Because there are no symptoms, people can develop heart disease and idney problems withoutnowing they have high blood pressure.

)f you have a severe headache, nausea or vomiting, bad headache, confusion, changes in your

vision, or nosebleeds you may have a severe and dangerous form of high blood pressure called

malignant hypertension.

Exams and Tests

our health care provider will chec your blood pressure several times before diagnosing you

with high blood pressure. )t is normal for your blood pressure to be different depending on the

time of day.

Blood pressure readings taen at home may be a better measure of your current blood pressurethan those taen at your doctor6s office. ae sure you get a good 7uality, well-fitting home

device. )t should have the proper si8ed cuff and a digital readout.

4ractice with your health care provider or nurse to mae sure you are taing your blood pressure

correctly. ee also+ Blood pressure monitors for home

our doctor will perform a physical exam to loo for signs of heart disease, damage to the eyes,

and other changes in your body.

%ests may be done to loo for+

• High cholesterol levels

• Heart disease, such as an echocardiogram or electrocardiogram

• 9idney disease, such as a basic metabolic panel and urinalysis or ultrasound of the

idneys

Treatment

%he goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure so that you have a lower ris of complications.ou and your health care provider should set a blood pressure goal for you.

)f you have pre-hypertension, your health care provider will recommend lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down to a normal range. edicines are rarely used for pre-

hypertension.

ou can do many things to help control your blood pressure, including+



















• at a heart-healthy diet, including potassium and fiber, and drin plenty of water. ee+

High blood pressure and diet

• xercise regularly -- at least :0 minutes of aerobic exercise a day.

• )f you smoe, 7uit -- find a program that will help you stop.

• ;imit how much alcohol you drin -- one drin a day for women, two a day for men.

• ;imit the amount of sodium !salt# you eat -- aim for less than 1,<00 mg per day.

• =educe stress -- try to avoid things that cause you stress. ou can also try meditation or

yoga.

• tay at a healthy body weight -- find a weight-loss program to help you, if you need it.

our health care provider can help you find programs for losing weight, stopping smoing, and

exercising. ou can also get a referral from your doctor to a dietitian, who can help you plan a

diet that is healthy for you.

%here are many different medicines that can be used to treat high blood pressure. ee+ High blood pressure medicines

$ften, a single blood pressure drug may not be enough to control your blood pressure, and you

may need to tae two or more drugs. )t is very important that you tae the medications prescribed

to you. )f you have side effects, your health care provider can substitute a different medication.

Outlook (Prognosis)

ost of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Possible Complications

*hen blood pressure is not well controlled, you are at ris for+

• Bleeding from the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen,

pelvis, and legs

• 3hronic idney disease

• Heart attac and heart failure

• 4oor blood supply to the legs






















• troe

• 4roblems with your vision

*atch this video about+Hypertension - overview

When to Contact a edical Pro!essional

)f you have high blood pressure, you will have regular appointments with your doctor.

ven if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checed during your yearly chec-up, especially if someone in your family has or had

high blood pressure.

3all your health care provider right away if home monitoring shows that your blood pressure is

still high.

Pre"ention

/dults over 1 should have their blood pressure checed regularly.

;ifestyle changes may help control your blood pressure.

5ollow your health care provider6s recommendations to modify, treat, or control possible causes

of high blood pressure.

#lternati"e $ames

Hypertension> HB4> Blood pressure - high

%e!erences

?oldstein ;B, Bushnell 3, /dams =@, /ppel ;@, Braun ;%, 3haturvedi , et al. ?uidelines for

the primary prevention of stroe+ a guideline for healthcare professionals from the /mericanHeart /ssociation"/merican troe /ssociation. Stroke. 2011 5eb>'2+<1A-'.

9aplan &. ystemic hypertension+ %reatment. )n+ Bonow =$, ann ;, ipes 4, ;ibby 4,

eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. (th ed. 4hiladelphia,

4a+ aunders lsevier> 2011+chap 'C&









Dictor, =?. ystemic hypertension+ echanisms and diagnosis. )n+ Bonow =$, ann ;, ipes

4, ;ibby 4, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. (th ed.

4hiladelphia, 4a+ aunders lsevier> 2011+chap '<.

'pdate ate *+,-+.-,,

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