Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the force of blood pumping through the arteries is consistently too high, which causes the walls of the arteries being expanded beyond their normal limit. This can lead to damage and scarring of the arteries, which can put people at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Hypertension is often called “the silent killer” because there are often no warning symptoms.
Uncommonly, symptoms of severe hypertension may include the following:
- Headaches
- Blurred or double vision
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Facial flushing
Other symptoms of severe hypertension may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness/fainting
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- Blood spots in the eyes (subconjunctival hemorrhage)
- More common in people who also have diabetes
What Causes High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
Risk factors for developing hypertension (high blood pressure) include:
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Age/Gender
- Up to age 64, males are more likely to develop hypertension
- Starting at age 65, females are more likely to develop
- Race
- African-Americans tend to develop hypertension more often than other races
Risk factors for developing hypertension that can be managed or prevented include:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Poor diet, especially one that is high in salt (sodium), saturated and trans fats, calories, and sugars
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking and tobacco use
- High cholesterol
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Untreated obstructive sleep apnea
- Diabetes
- Stress
How Is Hypertension Diagnosed?
Adults 20 years and older should have their blood pressure checked during regular doctor visits.
Blood pressure is measured with a pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer) placed around the upper arm and manually or electronically inflated. When inflated, the cuff compresses the brachial artery, the major blood vessel of the upper arm, briefly stopping blood flow. The air in the cuff is then released slowly while the person performing the measurement listens with a stethoscope or monitors an electronic readout.
High, elevated, and normal blood pressure is usually defined in the following ranges:
| High blood pressure (hypertension) | 140/90 mmHg or more |
| Elevated blood pressure levels | between 120/80 and 139/89 |
| Normal blood pressure | less than 120/80 mmHg |
What Is the Treatment for Hypertension?
The first line of treatment for managing hypertension (high blood pressure) includes making lifestyle modifications such as:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Diet low in salt
- Not smoking
- Getting adequate sleep
- Managing stress
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol
- Taking medications as directed
Medications commonly used treat hypertension may include:
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II antagonists (ARBs)
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Diuretics (“water pills”)
- Peripherally acting alpha-adrenergic blockers
- Centrally-acting alpha adrenergics
- Vasodilators
- Renin inhibitors
- Combination medicines, made up of two or more different kinds of blood pressure medicines
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https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/high-blood-pressure-medicines-help-you