When is hypertension indicated

If the blood pressure reader indicates a person has high or low blood pressure, they should talk to their doctor. Blood pressure monitors are available in pharmacies and online. If the pressure is too high, it can lead to serious health complications and potentially death.

Though not all causes of elevated blood pressure are preventable, a person can reduce their risk of complications by managing their lifestyle and minimizing risk factors for developing high blood pressure. Here, we examine the link between sleep apnea, hypertension, and gut bacteria. Although it seems unlikely, scientists are building up evidence of a…. A new study finds that people diagnosed with hypertension between ages 34 and 44 years are more likely to develop dementia than those without….

A new study involving more than 13, people breaks down the risk of uncontrolled high blood pressure by age and gender in the United States. Omron manufactures many medical devices, including blood pressure monitors. Learn more about the brand and some of its blood pressure products here. A recent study concludes that certain supervised lifestyle changes provide similar improvements to medications in reducing blood pressure. Blood pressure chart: Ranges and guide. Medically reviewed by Dr.

Payal Kohli, M. About Systolic vs. What is blood pressure? Systolic vs. Healthy ranges. They can also raise the level of sugar in your blood, which could lead to diabetes. Therefore, you will probably be recommended to have blood and urine tests every six months so that your potassium and blood sugar levels can be monitored. A few people have reported that they could not get or maintain an erection while taking thiazide diuretics.

However, this particular side effect was resolved once the medication was withdrawn. Alpha-blockers are effective in reducing high blood pressure. However, they are not usually prescribed unless you are already taking other medication and your blood pressure is still high.

Alpha-blockers, work by preventing the muscles that line your blood vessels alpha receptors from being activated and tightening the muscles in the walls of your blood vessels. This enables the blood vessels to relax and open, making it much easier for blood to flow through them and lower your blood pressure.

Beta-blockers used to be a popular treatment for high blood pressure, but now they only tend to be used when other treatments have not proved successful. This is because beta-blockers have more potential side effects than the other medications that are used to treat high blood pressure.

Beta-blockers, work by slowing down your heart rate and the force of your heart. This reduces the pressure at which the blood is pumped out of your heart and around your body. Although beta-blockers are not the preferred method of treatment for high blood pressure, they may be considered for younger people if:. Beta-blockers can also interact with other medications, causing possible adverse side effects.

Do not suddenly stop taking beta-blockers without first consulting your GP. Stopping this medication suddenly will lead to serious side effects, such as a rise in blood pressure or chest pain caused by reduction in oxygen to your heart muscle angina. High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys and stop them from working properly. Kidney disease can be treated using a combination of medication and dietary supplements. Cases that are more serious may require dialysis a treatment where waste products are artificially removed from the body or a kidney transplant.

More about chronic kidney disease. The best ways to prevent high blood pressure and the associated risks of cardiovascular disease are to:. A low-fat, high-fibre diet is recommended, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables five portions a day and whole grains. Limit the amount of salt that you eat to no more than 6g 0. Too much salt will increase your blood pressure 6g of salt is about one teaspoonful.

Avoid foods that are high in saturated fat as this will increase your cholesterol level, which is another risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, eating some foods that are high in unsaturated fat can actually decrease your cholesterol level. More about eating a healthy balanced diet. Being overweight is a risk factor for having high blood pressure, and your risk increases further if you are obese. The best way to tackle obesity is by reducing the amount of calories that you eat, and taking regular exercise.

Your GP can provide you with further information and advice on how you can do this. More about having a healthy weight. Exercise can raise your blood pressure at time of doing it but regular exercise at the right level for you can help to reduce your blood pressure and maintain a lower level.

More about keeping active. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and raise the cholesterol levels in your blood.

Sticking to the recommended amounts of alcohol consumption is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure 25ml or spirits. It is important to restrict your daily intake of coffee or drinks that contain caffeine, such as soft drinks and cola. Find out some effective ways to stop smoking. Home Illnesses and conditions Heart and blood vessels Conditions High blood pressure hypertension.

High blood pressure hypertension See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About high blood pressure 2. Symptoms of high blood pressure 3. Causes of high blood pressure 4.

Diagnosing high blood pressure 5. Treating high blood pressure 6. Complications of high blood pressure 7. Preventing high blood pressure.

The heart blood pump The heart is a muscle that is designed to constantly pump blood around the body. How is blood pressure measured? A more detailed explanation is provided below. Two measurements are used to measure blood pressure: Systolic pressure - the measure of blood pressure exerted when your heart beats and forces blood around your body.

Diastolic pressure - the measure of blood pressure when your heart is resting in between beats. Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are measured in millimetres of mercury mmHg. More about the diagnosis of high blood pressure Symptoms of high blood pressure High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, or immediate problems. Find out more about the symptoms of high blood pressure How common is high blood pressure? Risk factors for high blood pressure include: age the risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age.

Half of people over 75 years have the condition. More about the causes of high blood pressure and how high blood pressure is prevented What's the impact of having high blood pressure? High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as: coronary heart disease - where the main arteries that supply your heart the coronary arteries become clogged up with plaques fatty deposits strokes - a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted heart attacks - a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.

More about complications of high blood pressure Treatment and prevention of high blood pressure High blood pressure can be managed or controlled by making changes to your lifestyle, such as: eating a healthier diet exercising more regularly reducing the amount of alcohol that you drink. Medication that can help you lower your blood pressure is also available. Symptoms of high blood pressure High blood pressure does not usually cause any obvious symptoms.

The symptoms may include: headaches blurred or double vision regular nosebleeds shortness of breath Visit your GP as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. Regular blood pressure checks for over over 40's The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Regular blood pressure checks if diagnosed with high blood pressure If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure , your blood pressure will need to be closely monitored until it is brought under control. Make sure you get a good quality, well-fitting home blood pressure monitor. It should have a properly sized cuff and a digital readout. Practice with your provider to make sure you are taking your blood pressure correctly. You should be relaxed and seated for several minutes prior to taking a reading.

Bring your home monitor to your appointments so your provider can make sure it is working correctly. Tests may also be done to look for: High cholesterol level Heart disease, using tests such as an echocardiogram or electrocardiogram Kidney disease, using tests such as a basic metabolic panel and urinalysis or ultrasound of the kidneys.

Your provider will recommend lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down to a normal range. Medicines are rarely used at this stage. When thinking about the best treatment, you and your provider must consider: If you have no other diseases or risk factors, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes and repeat the measurements after a few months. If you have other diseases or risk factors, your provider may be more likely to start medicines at the same time as lifestyle changes.

Drink plenty of water. Get at least 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise at least 3 to 4 days a week. If you smoke, quit. Limit how much alcohol you drink to 1 drink a day for women, and 2 a day for men or less.

Limit the amount of sodium salt you eat. Aim for less than 1, mg per day. Reduce stress. Try to avoid things that cause you stress, and try meditation or yoga to de-stress. Stay at a healthy body weight. Your provider can help you find programs for losing weight, stopping smoking, and exercising. Medicines will likely be started if your blood pressure readings remain at or above these levels: Top number systolic pressure of or more Bottom number diastolic pressure of 80 or more If you have diabetes, heart problems, or a history of a stroke, medicines may be started at lower blood pressure reading.

Often, a single blood pressure drug may not be enough to control your blood pressure, and you may need to take two or more drugs.

It is very important that you take the medicines prescribed to you. If you have side effects, your doctor can substitute a different medicine. Outlook Prognosis. Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes. When blood pressure is not well-controlled, you are at risk for: Bleeding from the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs Chronic kidney disease Heart attack and heart failure Poor blood supply to the legs Problems with your vision Stroke.

When to Contact a Medical Professional. If you have high blood pressure, you will have regular checkups with your provider. Call your provider right away if home monitoring shows that your blood pressure is still high. Alternative Names. Patient Instructions. ACE inhibitors Angioplasty and stent - heart - discharge Antiplatelet drugs - P2Y12 inhibitors Aspirin and heart disease Butter, margarine, and cooking oils Cholesterol and lifestyle Controlling your high blood pressure Diabetes eye care Diabetes - preventing heart attack and stroke Diabetes - taking care of your feet Diabetes tests and checkups Dietary fats explained Fast food tips Heart attack - discharge Heart disease - risk factors Heart failure - discharge Heart failure - fluids and diuretics Heart failure - home monitoring Heart failure - what to ask your doctor High blood pressure - what to ask your doctor How to read food labels Implantable cardioverter defibrillator - discharge Kidney removal - discharge Low-salt diet Mediterranean diet Type 2 diabetes - what to ask your doctor.