Hypertension

High blood pressure can happen at any age, and people often don’t experience any symptoms. This chronic condition, also called hypertension, can sometimes require long-term medication. We’re here to help you with treatment options, including creating lifelong habits to manage your condition.

What is high blood pressure?

A normal blood pressure range is 120/80. When your blood pressure routinely exceeds that range, it can mean you've developed high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure is common and occurs when the force of your blood against your artery walls is consistently too high.

Unchecked, high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing serious health conditions like heart attack and stroke.

Learning blood pressure numbers

When you're measuring blood pressure, you'll notice it appears as two numbers in a ratio:

1. Systolic blood pressure (first number)
2. Diastolic blood pressure (second number)

A normal blood pressure reading is usually at or below 120/80.

If you have prehypertension, you have a reading higher than 120/80, but lower than 140/90. And if you have consistently high blood pressure readings, you'll fall into the hypertension category of 140/90 or higher most of the time.

Primary hypertension & secondary hypertension

High blood pressure is classified into two main types: primary and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension does not have a specific cause, while secondary hypertension is linked to an underlying health condition or medication:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Disorders of the adrenal glands, including pheochromocytoma and Cushing syndrome
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Pregnancy or preeclampsia
• Narrowing of the renal artery that supplies blood to the kidney (renal artery stenosis)
• The use of medications such as birth control pills, diet pills, and some cold and migraine medicines

Causes of high blood pressure

Age is one of the most common causes of high blood pressure. Blood vessels get stiffer as we get older, causing our hearts to work harder when they pump blood throughout our body. Other factors like hormone levels, kidney health, nervous system and blood vessels, and the amount of salt and water in your body also affect your risk of developing hypertension.

High blood pressure can raise your risk of:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Stroke

Hypertension risk factors

Many factors can determine your risk of developing hypertension. Some are genetic and cannot be changed while others are lifestyle factors that can be changed. The most common risk factors are obesity, high stress or anxiety, high alcohol consumption, family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high salt consumption. Your risk also greatly increases if you're African American.

Symptoms of hypertension

High blood pressure often goes undetected because it presents without symptoms. Usually, it's found during routine checkups. People may develop serious health conditions like heart disease or kidney problems without knowing they've developed hypertension.

Severe hypertension, also known as malignant hypertension, is a life-threatening condition that can cause headaches, nausea or vomiting, confusion, vision changes and nosebleeds. Malignant hypertension often comes on suddenly and can cause severe damage to your vital organs and small blood vessels if left untreated. Call 911 or seek medical attention immediately if you're experiencing any of these symptoms.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

High blood pressure is usually diagnosed through multiple blood pressure readings. Your blood pressure can change throughout the day, so it's normal to have fluctuating numbers.

Usually, if your blood pressure is in the normal range of 120/80, you only have to get your blood pressure checked every one to two years, but if you're getting high blood pressure readings, your provider will recommend you get your blood pressure checked every year. If you’re at higher risk for developing hypertension, your provider might also recommend more frequent blood pressure checks.

How can I monitor my blood pressure at home?

Tracking your blood pressure with at-home readings is a great way to get a clearer picture of your overall blood pressure health. At-home blood pressure monitors can vary in quality, so look for a monitor that has the right cuff size and a good digital display.

Make sure to bring your blood pressure monitor to your checkups so your provider can show you how to use the device and make sure everything is working properly.

Treatments for hypertension

Treatment for high blood pressure varies depending on the severity. The goal is to reduce the risk of long-term health complications by lowering your blood pressure to a healthy level.

Often, your provider will start by focusing on lifestyle changes to see if you can lower your blood pressure that way. These can include:

• Drinking enough water throughout the day
• Eating plenty of potassium and fiber
• Focusing on stress reduction
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Prioritizing cardio workouts with at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Reducing salt intake to less than 1,500 mg daily

If lifestyle changes don't work, your provider may explore certain medications to help control your blood pressure levels.

Can you use medications to manage high blood pressure?

Blood pressure medications are often prescribed for people with consistently high blood pressure when lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough. Most people need more than one medication to bring their blood pressure down to a healthy number.

If you need medication, your provider will walk you through your options and go over any potential side effects.