Hypertension: Blood Pressure Basics
What is hypertension? What causes hypertension and what are the
symptoms?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls.
The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the
blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension,
is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the
body and it contributes to hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis and
the development of heart failure.
What Is "Normal" Blood Pressure?
There are several categories of blood pressure, including:
Normal: Less than 120/80
Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89
Stage 1 hypertension: 140-159/90-99
Stage 2 hypertension: 160 and above/100 and above
People whose blood pressure is above the normal range should consult
their doctor about methods for lowering it.
What Causes Hypertension?
The exact causes of hypertension are not known. Several factors and
conditions may play a role in its development, including:
Smoking
Being overweight
Lack of physical activity
Too much salt in the diet
Too much alcohol consumption (no more than 1 to 2 drinks per day)
Stress
Older age
Genetics
Family history of high blood pressure
Chronic kidney disease
Adrenal and thyroid disorders
What Are the Symptoms of Hypertension?
There are usually no symptoms or signs of hypertension. In fact, nearly
one-third of those who have it don't know it. The only way to know if you
have hypertension definitely is to have your blood pressure checked.
If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to
look out for, including:
Severe headache
Fatigue or confusion
Vision problems
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Irregular heartbeat
Blood in the urine
Who Is More Likely to Develop Hypertension?
People with family members who have high blood pressure.
People who smoke.
African-Americans.
Women who are pregnant.
Women who take birth control pills.
People over the age of 35.
People who are overweight or obese.
People who are not active.
People who drink alcohol excessively.
People who eat too many fatty foods or foods with too much salt.
How Is Hypertension Diagnosed?
Your health care provider can tell if you have hypertension by checking
your blood pressure with a special meter called a sphygmomanometer,
which consists of a stethoscope, arm cuff, dial, pump, and valve. You can
also measure your own blood pressure at home. You should have your
blood pressure checked at least once a year to make sure you don't have
hypertension.
What Health Problems Are Associated With Hypertension?
Hypertension is a serious condition that can damage the heart and blood
vessels, and can eventually lead to several other conditions, including:
Stroke
Heart failure
Heart attack
Kidney failure
Vision problems
How Is Hypertension Treated?
Hypertension is typically treated by making changes in your lifestyle, and
with drug therapy. Lifestyle changes include losing weight, stopping
smoking, eating a healthy diet (such as the DASH diet, which includes
lowering sodium but including daily servings of fruits, vegetables, and
whole grain foods), and getting enough exercise, especially aerobic
exercise.
Several types of drugs are available to treat hypertension, including ACE
inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics, beta-blockers,
and calcium channel blockers.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.
Hypertension: Blood
Pressure Basics