Hospital Affiliation

Trident Health System


High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure

Definition

High blood pressure is abnormally high blood pressure with no known cause. Blood pressure measurements are read as two numbers:

  • Systolic pressure: higher number, normal reading is 120 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or less
  • Diastolic pressure: lower number, normal reading is 80 mmHg or less

High blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure greater than 90 mmHg. You are considered pre-hypertensive if your systolic blood pressure is between 120-139 mmHg, or your diastolic pressure is between 80- 89 mmHg. Your doctor will recommend monitoring and lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure puts stress on the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels. Over time, this condition can damage these organs and tissues.

Causes

The cause of essential hypertension is not known.

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing high blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

  • Sex: male, postmenopausal female
  • Race: African American
  • Age: middle-aged and older
  • Overweight
  • Heavy drinking of alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Family history
  • Kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • High-fat, high-salt diet
  • Stress

Symptoms

High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. But, the condition can still damage your organs and tissues.

Occasionally, if blood pressure reaches extreme levels, you may have the following:

  • Headache
  • Blurry or double vision
  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness

Diagnosis

High blood pressure is often diagnosed during a doctor's visit. Blood pressure is measured using an arm cuff and a special device. If your reading is high, you'll come back for repeat checks. If you have two or more visits with readings over 140/90 mmHG, you will be diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Your doctor will order tests to make sure your high blood pressure is not caused by another condition. You will also be tested to see if the high blood pressure has caused any problems.

Tests include:

  • Blood tests
  • Urine tests
  • Chest X-rays—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body
  • Electrocardiogram—a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle

Treatment

Lifestyle Changes

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Begin a safe exercise program with the advice of your doctor
  • If you smoke, quit
  • Eat a healthy diet, one that is low-fat, low-salt, and rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables
  • Drink alcohol in moderation (no more than two drinks per day for men, one drink per day for women)
  • Manage stress

Note: Untreated high blood pressure can lead to:

  • Heart disease
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Kidney damage

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, follow your doctor's instructions.

RESOURCES

American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
www.nhlbi.nih.gov