High Blood Pressure Symptoms

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About High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Both numbers are important.

High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When high blood pressure is not found and treated, it can cause:

The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure
Small bulges (aneurysms) to form in blood vessels. Common locations are the main artery from the heart (aorta), arteries in the brain, legs, and intestines, and the artery leading to the spleen.
Blood vessels in the kidney to narrow, which may cause kidney failure.
Arteries throughout the body to "harden" faster, especially those in the heart, brain, kidneys, and legs. This can cause a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or amputation of part of the leg.
Blood vessels in the eyes to burst or bleed, which may cause vision changes and can result in blindness.

Definition

Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60-70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries.

Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic pressure.

Normal Range

A blood pressure reading below 120/80 is considered normal. In general, lower is better. However, very low blood pressures can sometimes be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a doctor.

Doctors classify blood pressures under 140/90 as either "normal," or "prehypertension."

"Normal" blood pressures are lower than 120/80.
"Prehypertension" is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the "prehypertension" range. If your blood pressure is in the prehypertension range, it is more likely that you will end up with high blood pressure unless you take action to prevent it.

Levels

A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered high blood pressure. Both numbers are important. If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, you still have high blood pressure even if you have repeated readings in the normal range.

Symptoms

High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because you can have it for years without knowing it. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure measured.

Using a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope or electronic sensor, your doctor or nurse can take your blood pressure and tell you if it is high.

Even though high blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms, it is dangerous if it continues over time. It is important to find out if you have high blood pressure and, if so, to keep it under control.

Causes

In many people with high blood pressure, a single specific cause is not known. This is called essential or primary high blood pressure. Research is continuing to find causes.

Diagnosis

Only your doctor can tell you if you have high blood pressure. Most doctors will check your blood pressure several times on different days before deciding that you have high blood pressure.

A diagnosis of high blood pressure is given if repeated readings are 140/90 or higher or 130/80 or higher if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Treatment

Usually, the goal is to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 (130/80 if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease). Ask your doctor what your blood pressure goal should be.

Some people can prevent or control high blood pressure by changing to healthier habits, such as:

Eating healthy foods that include fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products
Cutting down on salt and sodium in the diet
Losing excess weight and staying at a healthy weight
Staying physically active (for example, walking 30 minutes a day)
Limiting alcohol intake.

Sometimes blood pressure stays too high even when a person makes these kinds of healthy changes. In that case, it is necessary to add medicine to help lower blood pressure. Medicines will control your blood pressure but they cannot cure it. You will need to take high blood pressure medicine for a long time.

Summary

You have high blood pressure if your top (systolic) blood pressure number is usually 140 or higher, OR your bottom (diastolic) number is usually 90 or higher. Both numbers are important.
Exception: If you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, you have high blood pressure if your top number is usually 130 or higher, OR your bottom number is usually 80 or higher.
High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is dangerous and can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure, and blindness.
You can control your high blood pressure through healthy habits and taking medicines, if needed.

Reference For High Blood Pressure Article

National Institutes of Health

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