High blood pressure is abnormally high blood pressure with no known cause. Blood pressure measurements are read as two numbers:
High blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure greater than 90 mmHg. You are considered prehypertensive 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.
These factors increase your chance of developing high blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
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:
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 cause any problems.
Tests include:
These include:
Note: Untreated high blood pressure can lead to:
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, follow your doctor's instructions .
To help reduce your risk of getting high blood pressure, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/home/index_e.aspx/
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=24/
References:
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Schroeder K. The DASH diet. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated May 2008. Accessed July 6, 2008.
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Smoots E. Do you have prehypertension? EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated March 2008. Accessed July 6, 2008.
What is high blood pressure? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhatIs.html . Updated April 2008. Accessed July 6, 2008.
¹9/2/2009 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Forman J, Stampfer M, Curhan G. Diet and lifestyle risk factors associated with incident hypertension in women. JAMA. 2009;302(4):401-411.
Last reviewed July 2010 by Michael J. Fucci, DO
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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