It is a great idea to have your blood pressure checked periodically to make sure that you do not have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is the term used to describe blood pressure which is greater than normal

It is a very common disease. Did you know that approximately 50 million Americans have high blood pressure?

Many people do not even know that they have a problem with their blood pressure because they have no symptoms!

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

What causes high blood pressure?

Why should I care about high blood pressure?

What are the symptoms?

How is it treated?

Where can I get more information?

How is it diagnosed?

Blood pressure is checked at most health care visits with a noninvasive blood pressure cuff attached to a pressure gauge (otherwise known as a "sphygmomanometer"). Optimal blood pressure is 120/80 or less. The top number is called the "systolic pressure". The bottom number is called the "diastolic pressure".

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is present if you have any of these measurements on two or more occasions.

•  systolic pressure (top number) is greater than 139 mm Hg

•  diastolic pressure (bottom number) is greater than 89 mm Hg

"Prehypertension" occurs if you have any of these measurements on two or more occasions.

• systolic pressure (top number) 120-139

• diastolic pressure (bottom number) 80-89

Having "prehypertension" means that you are at increased risk for progressing to hypertension.

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What causes high blood pressure?

In approximately 95% of the population, no cause can be found. This is called "essential hypertension". Some individuals, however, will have an underlying cause for their high blood pressure (such as kidney disease, endocrine disease, etc). 

Some factors which are linked to increased blood pressure:

• being overweight
• diet high in salt
• heavy alcohol use
• being sedentary
• family history of high blood pressure

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Why should I care about my blood pressure?

Having high blood pressure can lead to serious problems later in life. With high blood pressure, your heart has to work much harder. High blood pressure can also traumatize your blood vessels and make them weak. 

High blood pressure can lead to

• heart attacks

• heart failure

• strokes

• coronary artery disease

• kidney disease

• blindness

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What are the symptoms?

Usually there are no symptoms of high blood pressure. This is why high blood pressure is often called "the silent killer". Many people do not even know that they have high blood pressure.

Symptoms, if they occur, can consist of  headaches, chest pain, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath. On rare occasions, people may have a stroke as the first symptom of high blood pressure. 

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How is high blood pressure treated?

For most people, high blood pressure is treated with lifestyle modifications. 

• Exercise: 30 to 45 minutes of brisk walking most days of the week can lower blood pressure.

• Weight loss: (if overweight)

• Low salt diet: Studies have shown that reducing sodium intake can lower blood pressure. Did you know that approximately 75% of one's daily salt intake usually comes from processed foods? Cut down on "fast foods". Carefully check the nutrition labels on canned and processed foods. Beware! Many have lots of "hidden" sodium! Try to avoid adding salt to your foods. 

• Limit alcohol intake: For men, do not drink more than two 12 oz beers or 10 oz of wine a day. Women and lighter weight individuals should not drink more than one beer a day.

If the above measures are not sufficient to lower your blood pressure, then medications are added.

What else can help?

• Cut down or stop smoking. If you are not a smoker, don't start.

• Eat a healthy diet. Try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Cut down on saturated fats.

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Where can I get more information?

Ask your health care provider for more information.

 

You can also check out these websites:

 

American Heart Association

 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Guide to lowering blood pressure

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References

 

Appel L, et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1117-1124.

Blair S, et al. Physical fitness and incidence of hypertension in healthy normotensive men and women. JAMA. 1994;252:487-490.

 

The 7th Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. 2003.

 

Minura L, et al. Relationship of blood pressure to 25 year mortality due to coronary heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, and all causes in young adult men: the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry. Arch Intern Medicine. 2001;161:1501-1508.

 

Thadhani R, et al. Prospective study of moderate alcohol consumption and risk of hypertension in young women.  Arch Intern Medicine. 2002;162:569-574.

 

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last updated 11/29/2006