Systolic pressure top number indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pumps out blood. Diastolic pressure bottom number is the reading of the pressure in your arteries between beats of your heart. A blood pressure reading is taken with a pressure cuff. An ill-fitting cuff may deliver inaccurate readings. Blood pressure readings are different for children and teenagers. Hypertension is generally a silent condition. It may take years or even decades for the condition to reach levels severe enough that symptoms become obvious.
Even then, these symptoms may be attributed to other issues. Symptoms of severe hypertension can include:. The best way to know if you have hypertension is to get regular blood pressure readings. If you only have a yearly physical, talk with your doctor about your risks for hypertension and other readings you may need to help you watch your blood pressure.
For example, if you have a family history of heart disease or have risk factors for developing the condition, your doctor may recommend that you have your blood pressure checked twice a year. This helps you and your doctor stay on top of any possible issues before they become problematic.
Essential hypertension is also called primary hypertension. This kind of hypertension develops over time. Most people have this type of high blood pressure. A combination of factors typically play a role in the development of essential hypertension:. Secondary hypertension often occurs quickly and can become more severe than primary hypertension. Several conditions that may cause secondary hypertension include:. Diagnosing hypertension is as simple as taking a blood pressure reading.
If your blood pressure is elevated, your doctor may request you have more readings over the course of a few days or weeks. A hypertension diagnosis is rarely given after just one reading. Your doctor needs to see evidence of a sustained problem. Also, blood pressure levels change throughout the day. If your blood pressure remains high, your doctor will likely conduct more tests to rule out underlying conditions.
These tests can include:. These tests can help your doctor identify any secondary issues causing your elevated blood pressure. They can also look at the effects high blood pressure may have had on your organs. During this time, your doctor may begin treating your hypertension. Early treatment may reduce your risk of lasting damage. A number of factors help your doctor determine the best treatment option for you. These factors include which type of hypertension you have and what causes have been identified.
If your doctor diagnoses you with primary hypertension, lifestyle changes may help reduce your high blood pressure. If your doctor discovers an underlying issue causing your hypertension, treatment will focus on that other condition.
Sometimes, hypertension is persistent despite treatment for the underlying cause. In this case, your doctor may work with you to develop lifestyle changes and prescribe medications to help reduce your blood pressure. Treatment plans for hypertension often evolve. What worked at first may become less useful over time. Your doctor will continue to work with you to refine your treatment. Many people go through a trial-and-error phase with blood pressure medications.
Your doctor may need to try different medications until they find one or a combination that works for you. Healthy lifestyle changes can help you control the factors that cause hypertension. Here are some of the most common ones. A heart-healthy diet is vital for helping to reduce high blood pressure. These complications include heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. In addition to helping you lose weight if your doctor has recommended it , exercise can help lower blood pressure naturally, and strengthen your cardiovascular system.
Aim to get minutes of moderate physical activity each week. If you regularly consume too much alcohol or have an alcohol dependency, seek help to reduce the amount you drink or stop altogether. Beta-blockers were once popular for treating hypertension, but doctors only tend to prescribe them now when other treatments have not been successful. Beta-blockers slow the heart rate and reduce the force of the heartbeat, causing a drop in blood pressure.
Beta-blockers are often the standard medication for a person with very high blood pressure, known as a hypertensive crisis. Aliskiren Tekturna, Rasilez reduces the production of renin, an enzyme that the kidneys produce.
Renin helps produce a hormone that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure. Reducing this hormone causes the blood vessels to widen and blood pressure to fall. This drug is relatively new, and healthcare professionals are still determining its optimal use and dosage. It is essential to read the packaging of any medication to check for interactions with other drugs. Find out more detail here about blood pressure medications. A healthful, balanced diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, vegetable and omega oils, and good quality, unrefined carbohydrates , such as whole grains.
People who include animal products in their diet should trim all the fat off and avoid processed meats. Experts recommend reducing salt consumption and increasing potassium intake to manage or prevent high blood pressure. Limiting salt intake to less than 5—6 grams per day could help improve cardiovascular health and reduce systolic blood pressure by 5. In moderation, plant sources of fats, such as avocados, nuts, olive oil, and omega oils, can be healthful.
People should limit their intake of saturated fats and trans fats, common in animal-sourced and processed foods. Health experts recommend the DASH diet for people with high blood pressure. The DASH diet focuses on an eating plan that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and low-fat dairy products. Which foods are good for reducing blood pressure? Some studies indicate that consuming some alcohol may help lower blood pressure. However, others report the opposite, noting that even drinking a moderate amount might increase blood pressure levels.
People who regularly drink more than moderate amounts of alcohol will almost always experience elevated blood pressure levels.
Studies into the relationship between caffeine and blood pressure have produced conflicting results. A report published in concluded that a moderate intake of coffee appears to be safe for people with high blood pressure. The AHA recommend a range of lifestyle adjustments that can help reduce blood pressure, such as:. Regular exercise may help lower blood pressure. The AHA note that most healthy people should do at least minutes of moderate intensity physical exercise a week.
This could be 30 minutes — or three lots of 10 minutes a day — on 5 days of the week. However, a person who has not exercised for a while or who has a new diagnosis should talk to their doctor before starting a new physical activity program to ensure the choices they make are suitable for them. Studies have revealed that losing as little as 5—10 pounds in weight can help reduce blood pressure. For more advice on maintaining weight loss, click here.
Increasing sleep alone cannot treat hypertension, but too little sleep and poor sleep quality may make it worse. A analysis of data from a Korean national health survey found that people who had less than 5 hours of sleep per night were more likely to have hypertension.
In this article , you can find more tips on how to manage high blood pressure. The NCCIH add, however, that there is not yet enough evidence to confirm that these can make a difference. Some supplements can have adverse effects. They may raise blood pressure or interact with medications. Meditation and exercise therapies are usually safe, but some poses may not be suitable for people with high blood pressure.
Get some tips for lowering blood pressure naturally. Learn more here about what makes systolic and diastolic pressure. There are different devices for measuring blood pressure. A doctor will often use a manual sphygmomanometer with a stethoscope. Digital devices are suitable for home use, and they available from pharmacies and for purchase online. Read our review of the best home blood pressure monitors currently available for home use. When a person gets a blood pressure reading, they will have one of the following :.
At this stage, a doctor will advise the individual to make lifestyle changes to return their blood pressure to the normal range. A person will typically need more than one reading to confirm a diagnosis, as various factors can affect the result. However, a doctor will take immediate action if a reading shows very high blood pressure or if there are signs of organ damage or other complications.
Urine and blood tests: These can check for underlying problems, such as a urine infection or kidney damage. The results can give important clues about heart health.
For a person with hypertension and high cholesterol levels, a doctor may order an ECG as a baseline for comparing future results. Changes in future results might show that coronary artery disease is developing or that the heart wall is thickening.
Holter monitoring : For 24 hours, the individual carries an ECG portable device that connects to their chest through electrodes. This device can provide an overview of blood pressure throughout the day and show how it changes as the level of activity varies. Echocardiogram : Ultrasound waves show the heart in motion. The doctor will be able to detect problems, such as thickening of the heart wall, defective heart valves, blood clots, and excessive fluid around the heart.
High blood pressure can have a severe impact on:. The cardiovascular system : High blood pressure can cause the arteries to harden, increasing the risk of a blockage. The heart : A blockage can reduce blood flow to the heart, increasing the risk of angina , heart failure, or a heart attack. The brain : A blockage in the arteries can lower or prevent blood flow to the brain, leading to a stroke.
The kidneys : High blood pressure can result in kidney damage and chronic kidney disease. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms? Products and services.
What's a hypertensive crisis? If I notice a spike in my blood pressure, what should I do? Answer From Sheldon G. With Sheldon G. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Suneja M, et al.
Hypertensive emergency. Medical Clinics of North America. Taylor D. Hypertensive crisis: A review of pathophysiology and treatment. Elliott W, et al. Evaluation and treatment of hypertensive emergencies in adults. Accessed May 1, Patel R, et al. Blood pressure management during hospitalization. Hospital Medicine Clinics. See also Medication-free hypertension control 6 surprising signs you may have obstructive sleep apnea After a flood, are food and medicines safe to use?
Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure? Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise? Blood pressure chart Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?
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