High Blood Pressure
(Essential Hypertension)
Definition |
Causes |
Risk Factors |
Symptoms |
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Prevention |
Organizations
High blood pressure is abnormally high blood pressure with no known cause. Blood pressure measurements are read as two numbers. The higher number is called the systolic pressure. The lower number is called the diastolic pressure. Normal blood pressure is in the range of 120/80. High blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure greater than 140 and/or diastolic pressure greater than 90.
High blood pressure puts stress on the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels. Over time, high blood pressure can damage these organs and tissues.
The cause of essential hypertension is not known.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
- Sex:
|
| - Males
- Post-menopausal females
|
- Race: Black
- Age: Middle-aged and older
- Overweight
- A heavy drinker
- A smoker
- Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Diabetic
- High-fat, high-salt diet
- Emotional stress
High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Your organs and tissues can be damaged by high blood pressure without you feeling any symptoms.
Occasionally, if blood pressure reaches extreme levels, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Blurry or double vision
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
High blood pressure is often diagnosed during a visit to the doctor. Blood pressure is measured using a cuff around the arm and a device called a sphygmomanometer. If your blood pressure reading is high, you'll be asked to come back for repeat blood pressure checks. If you have three or more readings over 140/90, you will be diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Tests to make sure your high blood pressure is not caused by another medical condition and that it has not already caused complications include:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Chest x-rays
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Lifestyle Changes
|
| Lose weight if necessary. Your doctor can recommend a safe weight-loss plan and a reasonable target weight. Begin a safe exercise program based on the advice of your doctor. In addition, try to add physical activity into your daily life. Eat a low-fat, low-sodium, high fiber diet, as recommended by your doctor.If you smoke, quit.Drink alcohol in moderation. Moderate alcohol intake is no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.Consider counseling, stress reduction exercises, and meditation to decrease the stress in your life. |
Medications
Types of medications to lower blood pressure include:
- Diuretics
- Beta blockers
- Angioetensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
- Calcium channel blockers
- Alpha blockers
- Alpha-beta blockers
- Nervous system inhibitors
- Vasodilators
Note: Untreated high blood pressure can lead to:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Kidney damage
To reduce your chance of developing high blood pressure:
- Eat a healthful diet, one that is low in saturated fat and rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Don't smoke. If you smoke, quit.
- Drink alcohol in moderation. Moderate alcohol intake is no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
SOURCES:
Conn's Current Therapy 2001, 53rd ed. W. B. Saunders Company, 2001.
American Heart Association
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
June 2001
