High Blood Pressure Care (Hypertension)
What Exactly Is High Blood Pressure? (Hypertension)
High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, is a common disorder in which your blood pressure—the force of the blood on the walls of your arteries—is frequently too high.
Half of all Americans have high blood pressure, often known as hypertension, and many are unaware of their condition. High blood pressure occurs when blood flows at higher-than-normal pressures through your arteries. Blood pressure is measured in two parts: systolic and diastolic. The pressure created by the ventricles when they pump blood out of the heart is known as systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the heart between beats while it is filled with blood.
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Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day as a result of your activity. A normal blood pressure for most persons is less than 120/80 mm Hg, which is recorded as your systolic pressure reading over your diastolic pressure measurement — 120/80 mm Hg. When you have regular systolic readings of 130 mm Hg or higher or diastolic readings of 80 mm Hg or above, your blood pressure is considered high.
High blood pressure normally does not generate symptoms until it has caused major health concerns. One in every three individuals in the United States has excessive blood pressure and is not receiving treatment to manage it. As a result, it is important to get your blood pressure tested at least once a year.
Our providers may advise you to live a heart-healthy lifestyle in order to regulate or reduce your blood pressure. This includes eating heart-healthy meals like those in the DASH diet. You may also be required to take medications. Controlling or reducing blood pressure may aid in the prevention or postponement of significant health issues such as chronic kidney disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and perhaps vascular dementia.
It is important to get frequent blood pressure measurements and to be aware of your levels since high blood pressure seldom causes symptoms until it has created major issues.
Undiagnosed or untreated high blood pressure may lead to a variety of significant health issues, including:
- Aneurysm
- Stroke
- Kidney illness that is chronic
- Eye injury
- Heart attack
- Carotid artery disease or peripheral artery disease
- Dementia vascular
Screening examinations
Everyone over the age of three should get their blood pressure tested at least once a year by a healthcare practitioner. A blood pressure test will be performed by your physician to see whether you have persistently high blood pressure results.
How to Get Ready for a Blood Pressure Check
A blood pressure test will be performed by your doctor to see whether you have higher-than-normal blood pressure results. The reading consists of two numbers: the systolic and diastolic values. These are pressure measurements in millimeters of mercury (millimeters of mercury). Visit How the Heart Works to learn more about systolic and diastolic pressure.
A blood pressure test is simple and painless, and it may be performed at the doctor’s office or clinic. To take your blood pressure, the physician will utilize a gauge, stethoscope, or electronic sensor, as well as a blood pressure cuff.
Follow a few basic actions to prepare for the exam.
- For 30 minutes before the test, do not exercise, consume coffee, or smoke cigarettes.
- Before the test, use the restroom.
- Sit in a chair and relax for at least 5 minutes before the exam.
- Check that your feet are flat on the floor.
- Do not chat while resting or taking the exam.
- Uncover your arm to access the cuff.
- Place your arm on a table so that it is supported and at heart level.
- If this is the first time your provider has taken your blood pressure, readings on both arms may be taken.
Even if you prepare, your blood pressure measurement may be inaccurate due to other factors.
You are either excited or apprehensive. Blood pressure readings that are higher at a doctor’s office than at home or in a drugstore are referred to as “white coat hypertension.” Our providers may discover this sort of elevated blood pressure by analyzing office and other measurements.
When taken in a provider’s office, your blood pressure is usually lower. This is known as disguised hypertension. Your physician will have difficulties identifying elevated blood pressure if this occurs. Your physician may identify this sort of elevated blood pressure by reviewing office and home readings, particularly at night.
A faulty blood pressure cuff was utilized. If the cuff is too little or too large, your results may change. It is critical that your healthcare professional monitors your readings over time and uses the appropriate pressure cuff for your gender and age.
Blood pressure may also be measured at home or at a drugstore. More information on testing your blood pressure outside of your healthcare provider’s office may be found at the Measure Your Blood Pressure external link.
What the figures imply
A normal blood pressure for most persons is less than 120/80 mm Hg. When you have regular systolic readings of 130 mm Hg or higher or diastolic readings of 80 mm Hg or above, your blood pressure is considered high.
If your blood pressure readings are persistently greater than 120/80 mm Hg, see your doctor.
According to NHLBI-funded study, systolic blood pressure levels higher than 120 mm Hg may be hazardous to one’s health. Readings of 180/120 mm Hg or above are extremely high and need emergency medical intervention.
Blood pressure values for children under the age of 13 are compared to readings for children of the same age, gender, and height.
Based on your medical history and blood pressure measurements that are persistently high, you may be diagnosed with high blood pressure. You may also need further testing to rule out medical disorders that might cause high blood pressure or to determine if high blood pressure has harmed your kidneys.
Medical background
To build a treatment plan for you, your physician will want to learn your risk factors and general health information, such as your dietary habits, physical activity level, and family health history. They will ask you questions to determine if your high blood pressure has caused you any health concerns. This will assist establish if you need to have any testing.
Confirmation of hypertension
Two or more blood pressure measurements at different physician consultations are required to identify elevated blood pressure.