If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, talk with your health care team about your blood pressure levels and how these levels affect your treatment plan. Show
What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure. What causes high blood pressure?High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure can also happen during pregnancy. You can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems that may affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. What problems does high blood pressure cause?High blood pressure can damage your health in many ways. It can seriously hurt important organs like your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. The good news is that, in most cases, you can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems. Heart Attack and Heart DiseaseHigh blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease. In addition, decreased blood flow to the heart can cause:
Stroke and Brain ProblemsHigh blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked, causing a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen. Stroke can cause serious disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also kill you. Having high blood pressure, especially in midlife, is linked to having poorer cognitive function and dementia later in life. Learn more about the link between high blood pressure and dementia from the National Institutes of Health’s Mind Your Risks® campaign. Kidney DiseaseAdults with diabetes, high blood pressure, or both have a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease than those without these conditions. How do I know if I have high blood pressure?There’s only one way to know if you have high blood pressure: Have a doctor or other health professional measure it. Measuring your blood pressure is quick and painless. Talk with your health care team about regularly measuring your blood pressure at home, also called self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. What can I do to prevent or manage high blood pressure?Many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a healthy range or keep their numbers in a healthy range by making lifestyle changes. Talk with your health care team about
Learn more about ways to manage and prevent high blood pressure. In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure. Learn more about medicines for high blood pressure. Talk with your health care team right away if you think you have high blood pressure or if you’ve been told you have high blood pressure but do not have it under control. By taking action to lower your blood pressure, you can help protect yourself against heart disease and stroke, also sometimes called cardiovascular disease (CVD). Learn MoreOverview
What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. When you have hypertension (high blood pressure), it means the pressure against the blood vessel walls in your body is consistently too high. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because you may not be aware that anything is wrong, but the damage is still occurring within your body. Your blood pressure reading has two numbers. The top number is the systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on the blood vessel walls when your heart beats or contracts. The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on your blood vessels between beats when your heart is relaxing. For example, a blood pressure of 110/70 is within the normal range, but a blood pressure of 135/85 is stage 1 (mild) hypertension, and so on (see table).
What are the types of high blood pressure?Your provider will diagnose you with one of two types of high blood pressure:
What can happen if high blood pressure is not treated?Untreated hypertension may lead to serious health problems including:
Can high blood pressure affect pregnancy?High blood pressure complicates about 10% of all pregnancies. There are several different types of high blood pressure during pregnancy and they range from mild to serious. The forms of high blood pressure during pregnancy include: Chronic hypertension: High blood pressure which is present before pregnancy. Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure in the latter part of pregnancy. Preeclampsia: This is a dangerous condition that typically develops in the latter half of pregnancy and results in hypertension, protein in the urine and generalized swelling in the pregnant person. It can affect other organs in the body and cause seizures (eclampsia). Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia: Pregnant people who have chronic hypertension are at increased risk for developing preeclampsia. Your provider will check your blood pressure regularly during prenatal appointments, but if you have concerns about your blood pressure, be sure to talk with your provider. How do I know if I have high blood pressure?High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause symptoms. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your provider measure it. Know your numbers so you can make the changes that help prevent or limit damage. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the risk factors for high blood pressure?You are more likely to have high blood pressure if you:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is high blood pressure diagnosed?Since high blood pressure doesn’t have symptoms, your healthcare provider will need to check your blood pressure with a blood pressure cuff. Providers usually check your blood pressure at every annual checkup or appointment. If you have high blood pressure readings at two appointments or more, your provider may tell you that you have high blood pressure. What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?Providers use a blood pressure cuff to measure your blood pressure. Management and TreatmentWhat should I do if I have high blood pressure?If your healthcare provider has diagnosed you with high blood pressure, they will talk with you about your recommended blood pressure target or goal. They may suggest that you:
What diet helps manage high blood pressure?
What medications are used to treat high blood pressure?Four classes of high blood pressure medications are considered “first line” (most effective and commonly prescribed) when starting treatment. Sometimes other medications are coupled with these first-line drugs to better manage your high blood pressure. First-line, pressure-lowering medications are:
Talk to your healthcare provider about what side effects and problems are possible when you take your blood pressure medicine. You should avoid some medications during pregnancy. If you get side effects that concern you, call your provider. They may change your dose or try a different medication. Don’t stop taking the medicine on your own. PreventionCan I prevent high blood pressure?There are certain things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. These include eating right, getting the right amount of exercise and managing salt intake. How can you reduce your risk of high blood pressure?Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. These include the following:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have this condition?Since high blood pressure doesn’t cause many symptoms at first, you probably won’t feel any different with a high blood pressure diagnosis. But it’s important to follow your provider’s instructions to bring your blood pressure down so it doesn’t cause serious illnesses later in life. How long does high blood pressure last?If you have primary high blood pressure, you’ll need to manage it for the rest of your life. If you have secondary high blood pressure, your blood pressure will most likely come down after you receive treatment for the medical problem that caused it. If a medication caused your high blood pressure, switching to a different medicine may lower your blood pressure. What is the outlook for high blood pressure?You can get seriously ill if you don’t treat your high blood pressure. However, if you take the medicines your provider ordered, you can manage your blood pressure. Exercising and eating healthy foods also helps lower your blood pressure. Living WithHow can I be more active?
What if lifestyle changes don’t help lower my blood pressure?If diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes don’t work to lower your blood pressure, your healthcare provider will prescribe medications to help lower your blood pressure. Your provider will take into account other conditions you may have, such as heart or kidney disease and other drugs you’re taking when prescribing medications to treat your high blood pressure. Be sure to follow your provider’s dosing directions exactly. What questions should I ask my provider?
A note from Cleveland Clinic If you don’t treat high blood pressure, it can put you at risk for developing serious illnesses later in life such as heart attack, kidney failure and stroke. But if you follow your provider’s instructions, you can manage your blood pressure. Be sure to take any medicines your provider ordered as instructed. Keep taking them even if your blood pressure numbers begin to fall into the normal range. Living a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods, watching your weight and getting regular exercise is also a great way to help manage your blood pressure. What causes high blood pressure in men?What causes high blood pressure? High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure.
How do you feel when your high blood pressure is high?Unfortunately, high blood pressure can happen without feeling any abnormal symptoms. Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure.
What are the top 10 symptoms of high blood pressure?However, once blood pressure reaches a certain level, symptoms begin to show:. Blurry or double vision.. Lightheadedness/Fainting.. Fatigue.. Headache.. Heart palpitations.. Nosebleeds.. Shortness of breath.. Nausea and/or vomiting.. |