High blood pressure

Description

High blood pressure is the blood pressure that is slightly higher than what is considered ideal.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg). The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association to split the blood pressure in four general categories.

  • The Normal blood pressure. The blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg).
  • High blood pressure. The top number of the ranges of 120 to 129 mm Hg and the bottom number is below (not above) of 80 mm Hg .
  • Stage 1 hypertension. The top number of the ranges of 130 to 139 mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80 to 89 mm Hg .
  • Stage 2 of hypertension. The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or more.

High blood pressure is considered a category, this is not a health condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension). But the elevation of the blood pressure tends to get worse with time unless it is properly managed. That is why it is important to regularly check and control your blood pressure. Healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, can help prevent and control high blood pressure (hypertension).

Uncontrolled, elevation of blood pressure and hypertension increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Some research indicates long-term high blood pressure can lead to changes in memory, language, thinking, or judgment (cognitive impairment).

Symptoms

High blood pressure does not cause symptoms. The only way to detect it is to have regular blood pressure. Have your blood pressure measured when you visit your health care provider. You can also check at home with a home blood pressure monitoring device.

When to see a doctor

A child's blood pressure should be checked during routine well check appointments from 3 years of age. If the child has high blood pressure, a measure should be taken at each follow-up appointment.

Adults 18 years of age and older must have a control of blood pressure checked at least every two years. You or your child may need more frequent checks if you have high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease.

Causes

Anything that increases the pressure on the walls of the arteries can lead to high blood pressure. A buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis) can cause elevation of blood pressure. But the opposite is also true. High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause atherosclerosis.

Sometimes, the cause of the high blood pressure high, or are not identified.

Conditions and medications that can cause elevation of blood pressure include:

  • Disorders of the adrenal gland
  • Heart problem that affects the blood vessels present at birth (congenital heart defect)
  • Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
  • Kidney disease
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Some medications, such as birth control pills, cold and sinus medication, over-the-counter pain relievers that contain caffeine, and some prescription drugs
  • Thyroid disease

Talk with your health care provider about all the medicines you are taking, including those bought without a prescription.

Risk factors

Anyone can have high blood pressure, even children.

The risk factors for high blood pressure are:

  • Obesity or being overweight. Obesity makes it more likely to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
  • A family history of high blood pressure. You are more likely to develop high blood pressure if you have a father or brother with the disease.
  • Not to be physically active. Not exercising can cause you to gain weight. Weight gain increases the risk of high blood pressure.
  • Diet high in sodium (salt) or low in potassium. Sodium and potassium are two nutrients that the body needs for blood pressure control. If you have too much sodium or too little potassium in your diet, you may develop high blood pressure.
  • The consumption of tobacco. Smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco or be around smoke (second hand smoke) can increase blood pressure.
  • Drinking too much alcohol. The use of Alcohol has been associated with elevated blood pressure, particularly in men.
  • Certain chronic conditions. Kidney disease, diabetes and sleep apnea, among others, may increase the risk of high blood pressure.
  • Age. The simple fact of aging increases the risk of increase in blood pressure.
  • Of the race. High blood pressure is particularly common among Blacks, and usually develops at a younger age than in the white population.

Although high blood pressure and high blood pressure are more common in adults, children can get it, too. For some children, kidney, or heart problems can cause high blood pressure. Poor lifestyle habits, such as unhealthy diet, obesity and lack of exercise, contribute to increased blood pressure in children.

Complications

High blood pressure can worsen and develop long-term high blood pressure as a health condition (hypertension). High blood pressure can damage the organs of the body. Increases the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, aneurysms and kidney failure.

Prevention

The same healthy lifestyle changes that are recommended to treat high blood pressure also help prevent it. Eating healthy foods, using less salt, not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol, and manage stress.

High blood pressure

Diagnosis

A blood pressure test is done to diagnose high blood pressure. A blood pressure test can be done as part of a routine health screening or as a test for high blood pressure (hypertension).

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg). A measurement of the blood pressure has two numbers:

  • The top number (systolic pressure) is the pressure of blood flow when the heart contracts), the pumping of the blood.
  • The bottom number (diastolic pressure) is the pressure in the arteries measured between heart beats.

Elevation of blood pressure is a measurement of 120 to 129 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and a lower number below (not above) of 80 mm Hg .

A diagnosis of high blood pressure is based on the average of two or more blood pressure readings. The measurements must be taken at different times in the same way. The first time your blood pressure is controlled, must be measured in both arms to determine if there is a difference. After that, the arm with the higher reading should be used.

A greater control of the blood pressure test can be done to check blood pressure at regular intervals for six or 24 hours. This is called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. However, the devices used for the test are not available in all medical centers. Check with your insurance company to see if the ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure is a covered service.

Your healthcare provider may also suggest that you check your blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure monitors are available at the local stores, and pharmacies. Some devices store the measurements in its memory.

Tests

If you have elevated levels of high blood pressure, your doctor may do blood and urine tests to check for conditions that may cause. Tests may include:

  • Complete blood count
  • Cholesterol test (lipid profile)
  • Blood sugar (glucose) in the proof of
  • Kidney function tests
  • Thyroid function tests

Other tests may also be done.

You may also have an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) to check how the heart is beating. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is quick and painless. During an ECG, sensors (electrodes) are attached to the chest and, at times, the arms or the legs. Connect the cables from the sensors to a machine that prints or displays the results.

Treatment

Changes healthy lifestyle is recommended for any person with an elevated or high blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure and diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease, your doctor may also recommend medications to treat high blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure, but do not have any risk factors for heart disease, the benefits of the medication are less clear.

The treatment for stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure usually includes blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes healthy.

Self-care

As the blood pressure increases, so does the risk of heart disease. That is why it is so important to control high blood pressure. The key is a commitment to healthy lifestyle changes. Try these tips:

  • Eat healthy foods. Eat a healthy diet. Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products. Get plenty of potassium from natural sources, which can help lower blood pressure. Eat less saturated fats and trans fats.
  • Use less salt (sodium). Processed meats, canned foods, soups commercial, frozen dinners, and certain breads can be hidden sources of salt. Check food labels for sodium content. Objective to limit the sodium to less than 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day. A lower sodium intake-1,500 mg a day or less — is ideal for most adults.
  • Control the weight. Weight loss if you are overweight or have obesity may help to control the blood pressure and decrease the risk of complications. Ask your health care provider what is the ideal weight for you. In general, the blood pressure decreases by about 1 mm Hg with each kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost. In people with high blood pressure, the fall in blood pressure can be even more significant per kilogram of weight lost.
  • Increase physical activity. Regular exercise keeps the body healthy. It can lower your blood pressure, relieve stress, control weight and reduce the risk of chronic health problems. Aim to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of aerobic activity, vigorous, or a combination of the two.
  • Limit the consumption of alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
  • Do not smoke. Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. If you smoke, talk with your health care strategies to help you stop smoking.
  • Manage stress. Find ways to help reduce emotional stress. Do more exercise, the practice of mindfulness and connecting with others in support groups are some of the ways to reduce stress.

Preparing for your appointment

If you think that you can have elevated levels of high blood pressure, make an appointment with your health care provider of the family to have their blood pressure.

No special preparation is needed. To obtain an accurate reading of the blood pressure, avoid caffeine, exercise, and tobacco for at least 30 minutes before the test.

Because some drugs can raise blood pressure, bring a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and other supplements that you take, and your dose to your medical appointment. Do not stop taking any prescription medication that you think could affect your blood pressure without the advice of your provider.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, if you have any, even if it seems not to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when they began
  • Important personal information, including a family history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke or diabetes, and any major stresses or recent life changes
  • Write questions to ask their provider.

For high blood pressure, questions to ask your health care provider include:

  • What tests do I need?
  • Do I need to take the medication?
  • What foods should I eat or avoid?
  • What is an appropriate level of physical activity?
  • With what frequency do I need to have my blood pressure checked?
  • Should I monitor my blood pressure at home?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask a series of questions, including:

  • What are your diet and exercise habits like?
  • Do you drink alcohol? How many drinks they have in a week?
  • Do you smoke?
  • When was the last time you have your blood pressure? What was the result?
Symptoms and treatment of High blood pressure