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Do you know if you have high blood pressure?
What is high-normal blood pressure?
What is a high blood pressure reading?
What if my blood pressure is too high?
Symptoms of high blood pressure. High blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms. Many people have it without realising it. Rarely, high blood pressure can cause symptoms such as: headaches; blurred vision; chest pain; But the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get your blood pressure checked.
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What is hypertension? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
Learn more about hypertension from nephrologist Leslie Thomas, M.D. High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the body's arteries. It's also called hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories. Ideal blood pressure is categorized as normal.)
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms.
A few people with high blood pressure may have:
•Headaches
•Shortness of breath
•Nosebleeds
However, these symptoms aren't specific. They usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.
Blood pressure screening is an important part of general health care. How often you should get your blood pressure checked depends on your age and overall health.
Ask your provider for a blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at age 18. If you're age 40 or older, or you're 18 to 39 with a high risk of high blood pressure, ask for a blood pressure check every year.
Your care provider will likely recommend more-frequent readings if have high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease.
Children age 3 and older may have blood pressure measured as a part of their yearly checkups.
If you don't regularly see a care provider, you may be able to get a free blood pressure screening at a health resource fair or other locations in your community. Free blood pressure machines are also available in some stores and pharmacies. The accuracy of these machines depends on several things, such as a correct cuff size and proper use of the machines. Ask your health care provider for advice on using public blood pressure machines.
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Primary hypertension, also called essential hypertension
For most adults, there's no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It tends to develop gradually over many years. Plaque buildup in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, increases the risk of high blood pressure.
Secondary hypertension
This type of high blood pressure is caused by an underlying condition. It tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension. Conditions and medicines that can lead to secondary hypertension include:
High blood pressure has many risk factors, including:
•Age. The risk of high blood pressure increases with age. Until about age 64, high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 65.
•Race. High blood pressure is particularly common among Black people. It develops at an earlier age in Black people than it does in white people.
•Family history. You're more likely to develop high blood pressure if you have a parent or sibling with the condition.
•Obesity or being overweight. Excess weight causes changes in the blood vessels, the kidneys and other parts of the body. These changes often increase blood pressure. Being overweight or having obesity also raises the risk of heart disease and its risk factors, such as high cholesterol.
•Lack of exercise. Not exercising can cause weight gain. Increased weight raises the risk of high blood pressure. People who are inactive also tend to have higher heart rates.
The excessive pressure on the artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and body organs. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications including:
•Heart attack or stroke. Hardening and thickening of the arteries due to high blood pressure or other factors can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other complications.
•Aneurysm. Increased blood pressure can cause a blood vessel to weaken and bulge, forming an aneurysm. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be life-threatening.
•Heart failure. When you have high blood pressure, the heart has to work harder to pump blood. The strain causes the walls of the heart's pumping chamber to thicken. This condition is called left ventricular hypertrophy. Eventually, the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, causing heart failure.
•Kidney problems. High blood pressure can cause the blood vessels in the kidneys to become narrow or weak. This can lead to kidney damage.
•Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
•Alpha blockers
•Angiotensin II receptor blockers
•Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
•Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?
•Beta blockers
Many people with high blood pressure feel fine, so it’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Symptoms of high blood pressure. High blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms. The following can be symptoms of high blood pressure: blurred vision; nosebleeds; shortness of breath; chest pain; dizziness; headaches. More than ...
Sep 3, 2024 · Home. Illnesses and conditions. Cardiovascular disease. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure (hypertension) Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in the arteries. The arteries are vessels that carry blood from the heart around the body.
Jun 19, 2024 · A hypertensive crisis is a sudden, severe increase in blood pressure. The blood pressure reading is 180/120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater. A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. It can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening health problems.
Symptoms of high blood pressure. Most people don't know they have high blood pressure because there aren't obvious symptoms. That's why it's so important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Rarely, it can cause symptoms like blurred vision, headaches and nosebleeds. Find out more about the symptoms of high blood pressure.
May 6, 2024 · Hypertensive crisis. If your blood pressure readings are suddenly higher than 180/120, wait five minutes and test again. If your readings are still very high, contact your health care professional immediately. You could be having a hypertensive crisis. Last Reviewed: May 6, 2024. For most people, high blood pressure has no signs or symptoms.
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