About this topic
Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pumped through your arteries. When your blood pressure is slightly above normal you have prehypertension. This may turn into hypertension if you do not make changes to how you are living. Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. ‚
Doctors diagnose this by taking your blood pressure. Your blood pressure has two numbers. The top number is the systolic number. The second number or bottom number is the diastolic number. You have prehypertension when the top number is between 120 and 139 mm Hg or the bottom number is 80 to 89 mm Hg. The doctor may say your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 139/89 mm Hg. This means that the pressure inside your blood vessels is too high ‚
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What are the causes?
- Genetics ¢ ˆ ’ it is inherited from your parents
- Fats may be blocking your blood vessels
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid problems
- Drugs like birth control pills and pain relievers
- Use of illegal drugs
- Too much salt in your diet
What can make this more likely to happen?
- High blood pressure runs in the family
- Lifestyle choices like too much drinking and smoking, or living with too much stress
- Other illnesses that affect blood pressure, like kidney and lung problems
What are the main signs?
Sometimes, people have no signs. Others may feel: ‚
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breathing problems
- Blurred eyesight
- Passing out
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. The doctor will check your blood pressure and listen to your heartbeat. Your doctor may ask about other people in your family with high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor about all of the drugs you are taking. Your doctor may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Treatment may include: ‚
- Lifestyle changes like:
- Exercise
- Weight loss
- Low salt diet
- Lowering stress
- Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol)
- Drugs if you have other certain health conditions
Are there other health problems to treat?
You may have other problems if your blood pressure is not controlled. Some of them are: ‚
- Heart problems like heart attack or heart failure
- Stroke
- Swelling of blood vessels
- Kidney failure
- Loss of eyesight
- Trouble with memory
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Keep a normal weight. If you are too heavy, make a plan with your doctor to lose weight.
- Exercise regularly. A 30-minute workout each day will help keep your heart healthy.
- Talk to your doctor about how you need to change your diet.
- Try to eat more low fat or lean meats. Eat less red meat and eat more fish, chicken, turkey, and beans instead.
- Stay away from sugars and fats. Limit sweets and fatty foods such as desserts, fried foods, and chips. Use good fats found in fish, nuts, avocados, and oils, like olive oil and canola oil. Cut back on solid fats (butter, lard, margarine).
- Lower the salt in your diet. Ask about the DASH diet.
- Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Stop smoking. It can harm your heart, stomach, and lungs.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Control high blood pressure
Will there be any other care needed?
- You will need to have regular visits with your doctor to monitor your blood pressure. Ask your doctor how often to visit.
- Ask the doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Learn how to take your blood pressure at home. Ask your doctor about the best device for BP monitoring and how to use it.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Blood pressure higher than 220/120
- Chest pain
- Breathing problems
- Very bad headache
- Very bad muscle pain or weakness
- Trouble speaking
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Sudden change in hearing or seeing
- Nosebleed
Where can I learn more?
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hypertension_means_high_blood_pressure ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/ ‚
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/ ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-pressure-(high)/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚