It is common for high blood pressure to cause no symptoms. This means many people with hypertension may not know they have it. High blood pressure is usually discovered during routine medical appointments.
HEALTH CONDITION
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a medical condition in which the force exerted on blood vessels by the flow of blood is consistently higher than normal. It is also known as hypertension. Two different measurements are used to record blood pressure. The force measured while the heart contracts is known as systolic pressure. The force measured when the heart is at rest is called diastolic pressure. High blood pressure can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, kidney disease, and eye problems.
Symptoms
Causes
Hypertension can have many different causes. These can include obesity, medications, and inherited genetics. Other health conditions may also increase blood pressure. Some of these include kidney disease and thyroid disease. High blood pressure is more common in men than women and the risk for this condition increases with age.Tobacco use, high levels of stress, a diet high in salt, and excessive alcohol consumption may also contribute.
Treatment
Blood pressure goals vary. Your medical provider will determine what is best for you. Therapy is multifaceted and includes diet, exercise, weight loss, and medications. Some medications used to treat this condition are calcium channel blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers. Many patients need multiple medications to reach their desired blood pressure.
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Frequently asked questions
What is considered a normal blood pressure?
A normal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120/80 mmHg. Specifically:
• Normal systolic blood pressure (the top number) is less than 120 mmHg
• Normal diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is less than 80 mmHg
• Normal diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is less than 80 mmHg
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means the pressure in your blood vessels (arteries) is higher than normal. Specifically, high blood pressure is defined as having blood pressure readings of 140/90 mmHg or above most of the time.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure or hypertension?
Some common symptoms of high blood pressure or hypertension include:
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds
• Fatigue
• Vision changes
• Chest pain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in the urine
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds
• Fatigue
• Vision changes
• Chest pain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in the urine
However, high blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms in the early stages. That's why it's important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to health issues over time like heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and eye problems.
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Click here to check out Amazon Clinic's high blood pressure medication renewal system. This allows you to easily get your high blood pressure prescription renewed if it has expired.
What lifestyle changes help lower blood pressure?
Here are some lifestyle changes that can help lower blood pressure:
• Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, dietary fiber, non-animal protein like soy, and low-fat dairy products. Avoid foods high in saturated fat or cholesterol.
• Reduce sodium (salt) intake to less than 2.4 grams per day. Much of the salt in a typical diet comes from processed and fast foods.
• Limit alcohol to 0-2 standard drinks per day for men, and 0-1 per day for women. One drink is 1.5 oz liquor, 5 oz wine, or 12 oz beer.
• Get regular exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week. Brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are good options.
• Maintain a healthy weight and waistline. Aim for a BMI under 25 and waist circumference under 40 inches for men or 35 for women.
• Manage stress through meditation, yoga, or slow walks.
• Quit smoking and avoid tobacco products if you currently use them.
• Reduce sodium (salt) intake to less than 2.4 grams per day. Much of the salt in a typical diet comes from processed and fast foods.
• Limit alcohol to 0-2 standard drinks per day for men, and 0-1 per day for women. One drink is 1.5 oz liquor, 5 oz wine, or 12 oz beer.
• Get regular exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week. Brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are good options.
• Maintain a healthy weight and waistline. Aim for a BMI under 25 and waist circumference under 40 inches for men or 35 for women.
• Manage stress through meditation, yoga, or slow walks.
• Quit smoking and avoid tobacco products if you currently use them.
What foods help reduce high blood pressure?
Foods that can help reduce high blood pressure include:
• Leafy greens like spinach and kale
• Berries
• Bananas
• Fatty fish like salmon and tuna
• Beans and lentils
• Seeds like flaxseed and pumpkin seeds
• Garlic and herbs like oregano and thyme
• Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
• Whole grains
• Berries
• Bananas
• Fatty fish like salmon and tuna
• Beans and lentils
• Seeds like flaxseed and pumpkin seeds
• Garlic and herbs like oregano and thyme
• Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
• Whole grains
Making healthy diet and lifestyle changes can significantly lower blood pressure for many people. Medications may also be needed, especially if blood pressure is very high. Work closely with your healthcare provider on the best treatment plan for you.
What blood pressure medications are commonly prescribed?
Some commonly prescribed blood pressure medications include:
• ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, ramipril, enalapril which relax blood vessels allowing blood to flow more easily
• ARBs like losartan, valsartan, candesartan which block angiotensin receptors and relax blood vessels
• Beta blockers like metoprolol, atenolol, bisoprolol which reduce heart rate and force of heart contraction
• Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine, nifedipine, diltiazem which relax blood vessels
• Diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, chlorthalidone which reduce fluid volume in the body
• ARBs like losartan, valsartan, candesartan which block angiotensin receptors and relax blood vessels
• Beta blockers like metoprolol, atenolol, bisoprolol which reduce heart rate and force of heart contraction
• Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine, nifedipine, diltiazem which relax blood vessels
• Diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, chlorthalidone which reduce fluid volume in the body
The choice of medication depends on the individual, their medical history, age, and response to treatment. If you have high blood pressure, speak to your doctor about treatment options best suited for your condition.
How can I monitor my blood pressure at home?
Here are some tips for monitoring your blood pressure at home:
• Use a validated arm BP cuff to check your blood pressure. Wrist and finger devices are often inaccurate.
• Take your blood pressure at the same time each day, such as morning and evening. Write down the readings each time.
• Sit quietly for 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure.
• Sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor. Relax your arm at heart level.
• Take 2-3 readings, 1 minute apart. Record all the readings.
• Bring your home blood pressure log to doctor visits to discuss the readings.
• Take your blood pressure at the same time each day, such as morning and evening. Write down the readings each time.
• Sit quietly for 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure.
• Sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor. Relax your arm at heart level.
• Take 2-3 readings, 1 minute apart. Record all the readings.
• Bring your home blood pressure log to doctor visits to discuss the readings.
Checking your blood pressure at home allows you and your doctor to get a more complete picture of your overall blood pressure trends and treatment.
What is the best blood pressure monitor to use at home?
When measuring your blood pressure at home, it's best to use an automated arm cuff monitor that has been validated for accuracy, such as those from reputable brands like Omron or A&D Medical. These monitors are easy to use and provide reliable readings.
Checking your blood pressure regularly at home allows you to monitor trends and have informed discussions with your healthcare provider. If you have any other questions, be sure to check out Amazon Clinic's help section.
Checking your blood pressure regularly at home allows you to monitor trends and have informed discussions with your healthcare provider. If you have any other questions, be sure to check out Amazon Clinic's help section.
Can high blood pressure be cured?
High blood pressure or hypertension usually cannot be cured, but it can be controlled and managed with lifestyle changes and medication. Here are some tips that may help lower blood pressure:
• Lose extra weight and watch your waistline.
• Exercise regularly such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
• Eat a healthy diet that's low in salt, saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and added sugars.
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks for men.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Reduce stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, etc.
• Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
• Exercise regularly such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
• Eat a healthy diet that's low in salt, saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and added sugars.
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks for men.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Reduce stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, etc.
• Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
When should I see a doctor about blood pressure?
Here are some signs that indicate you should see a doctor about your blood pressure:
• Your top blood pressure reading (systolic) goes higher than 150.
• Your lower blood pressure reading (diastolic) goes higher than 100.
• You want to have your blood pressure (BP) checked at your healthcare provider's office.
• You develop new high blood pressure symptoms or have any further concerns.
• Your lower blood pressure reading (diastolic) goes higher than 100.
• You want to have your blood pressure (BP) checked at your healthcare provider's office.
• You develop new high blood pressure symptoms or have any further concerns.
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