The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
you’re free to have high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without any symptoms.
Even without symptoms, damage to blood vessels and your heart continues and can be detected.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
High blood pressure generally develops over many years, and it affects nearly everyone eventually.
Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected.
And once you know you have high blood pressure, you might work with your doctor to control it.
You’ll likely have your blood pressure taken as part of a routine doctor’s appointment.
Ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at age 18.
Blood pressure generally should be checked in both arms to determine if there is a difference.
It’s important to use an appropriate-sized arm cuff.
Children age 3 and older will usually have blood pressure measured as a part of their yearly checkups.
you’re free to also find machines in some stores that will measure your blood pressure for free.
Ask your doctor for advice on using public blood pressure machines.
There are two types of high blood pressure.
For most adults, there’s no identifiable cause of high blood pressure.
Some people have high blood pressure sparked by an underlying condition.
Through early middle age, or about age 45, high blood pressure is more common in men.
Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 65.
Family history.High blood pressure tends to run in families.
Not being physically active.People who are inactive tend to have higher heart rates.
Lack of physical activity also increases the risk of being overweight.
This can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your blood pressure.
Secondhand smoke also can increase your blood pressure.
Too little potassium in your diet.Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells.
Vitamin D may affect an enzyme produced by your kidneys that affects your blood pressure.
Drinking too much alcohol.Over time, heavy drinking can damage your heart.
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.
Stress.High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure.
Sometimes pregnancy contributes to high blood pressure, as well.
Although high blood pressure is most common in adults, children may be at risk, too.
For some children, high blood pressure is triggered by problems with the kidneys or heart.
The higher your blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.
No special preparations are necessary to have your blood pressure checked.
You might want to avoid caffeinated food and drinks right before your test.
You may want to use the toilet before having your blood pressure measured.
List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions.
These are primary lines of defense against high blood pressure and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.
A blood pressure reading, given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), has two numbers.
The second, or lower, number measures the pressure in your arteries between beats (diastolic pressure).
Blood pressure measurements fall into four general categories:
Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important.
But after age 60, the systolic reading is even more significant.
This is a common pop in of high blood pressure among people older than 60.
Your blood pressure generally should be measured in both arms to determine if there is a difference.
It’s important to use an appropriate-sized arm cuff.
Your doctor may ask you to record your blood pressure at home and at work to provide additional information.
Your doctor may suggest a 24-hour blood pressure monitoring test called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
However, these devices aren’t available in all medical centers, and they’re rarely reimbursed.
Talk to your doctor about how to get started.
Changing your lifestyle can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure.
But sometimes lifestyle changes aren’t enough.
In addition to diet and exercise, your doctor may recommend medication to lower your blood pressure.
Your blood pressure treatment goal depends on how healthy you are.
The category of medication your doctor prescribes depends on your blood pressure measurements and your other medical problems.
Thiazide diuretics are often the first, but not the only, choice in high blood pressure medications.
Thiazide diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), chlorthalidone, and others.
A common side effect of diuretics is increased urination.
Beta blockers include acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin) and others.
People with chronic kidney disease may benefit from having an ACE inhibitor as one of their medications.
ARBs include candesartan (Atacand), losartan (Cozaar), and others.
People with chronic kidney disease may benefit from having an ARB as one of their medications.
Some slow your heart rate.
Calcium channel blockers may work better for black and older people than do ACE inhibitors alone.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned about interactions.
Tekturna works by reducing the ability of renin to begin this process.
In fact, two or more blood pressure drugs often are more effective than one.
Sometimes finding the most effective medication or combination of drugs is a matter of trial and error.
The possibility of a secondary cause of the high blood pressure generally should be reconsidered.
Having resistant hypertension doesn’t mean your blood pressure will never get lower.
You may have to fine-tune your medications to come up with the most effective combination and doses.
Adding an aldosterone antagonist such as spironolactone (Aldactone) often leads to control of resistant hypertension.
In addition, you and your doctor can review medications you’re taking for other conditions.
Be open and honest with your doctor about all the medications or supplements you take.
Don’t change your treatment without your doctor’s guidance.
Here’s what you’ve got the option to do:
Eat healthy foods.Eat a healthy diet.
Get plenty of potassium, which can help prevent and control high blood pressure.
Eat less saturated fat and trans fat.
Otherwise healthy people can aim for 2,300 mg a day or less.
If you’re overweight, losing even 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) can lower your blood pressure.
Aim to do muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week.
Limit alcohol.Even if you’re healthy, alcohol can raise your blood pressure.
If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.
Don’t smoke.Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries.
If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit.
Manage stress.Reduce stress as much as possible.
Practice healthy coping techniques, such as muscle relaxation, deep breathing, or meditation.
Getting regular physical activity and plenty of sleep can help, too.
Practice relaxation or slow, deep breathing.Practice taking deep, slow breaths to help relax.
There are some devices available that promote slow, deep breathing.
However, it’s questionable whether these devices have a significant effect on lowering your blood pressure.
However, more research is needed to determine the potential benefits.
Talk to your doctor before adding any of these supplements to your blood pressure treatment.
These practices may temporarily reduce your blood pressure.
High blood pressure isn’t a problem that you’ve got the option to treat and then ignore.
It’s a condition you better manage for the rest of your life.
If you need motivation, remember the risks associated with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
It may help to enlist the support of your family and friends as well.
Updated: 2016-09-09
Publication Date: 2000-09-28
