High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is blood pressure that is consistently 130/80 mmHg or higher. "Essential hypertension" is high blood pressure without an identifiable cause and accounts for 95% of all cases.
Long-Term Effects
If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to much more serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, vision loss, aneurysms, and memory problems.
High Blood Pressure is Extremely Common
High blood pressure affects nearly half of all US adults (120 million people). It is the most common chronic condition after obesity. Texas ranks among the top states in the country for hypertension, with 37% living with this condition.
Systolic & Diastolic
Your blood pressure is measured using two numbers:
- Systolic pressure: The top number in a blood pressure reading. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts to pump blood.
- Diastolic pressure: This bottom number in a blood pressure reading. It measures the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats, when your heart is at rest.
Causes
The exact cause of essential hypertension is unknown, but there are several factors that can increase your risk.
Family History
Having a parent or sibling with high blood pressure can increase your risk.
Age
Blood vessels can lose elasticity with age, leading to higher blood pressure.
Gender
Until age 64, men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women. This reverses at age 65 when a decline in hormones puts women at greater risk.
Obesity
Too much weight can cause high blood pressure by increasing blood flow and causing hormonal shifts.
Lack of Exercise
Inactivity can weaken the heart and blood vessels, making it harder for your body to manage blood flow.
Poor Diet
Too much fat, sugar, and sodium, and not enough potassium, can raise your blood pressure. Drinking too much alcohol can also raise your risk.
symptoms
High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it usually doesn’t have symptoms until it is advanced, when it can cause:
Headache
Increased pressure in blood vessels, especially in the brain, can lead to headache.
Shortness of Breath
In advanced cases, blood vessels in the lungs can become narrow or stiff, making it harder for the heart to pump blood through them, which can lead to shortness of breath.
Nosebleeds
Increased blood pressure can make blood vessels in the nose fragile and prone to rupture.
Dizziness & Lightheadedness
Damaged blood vessels in the inner ear and brain, and disrupted blood flow, can affect balance and coordination and lead to dizziness.
Chest Pain
High blood pressure strains the entire cardiovascular system, which can cause chest pain.
Visual Disturbances
Blurred vision or other changes in vision can occur due to the effects of increased pressure on blood vessels in the eyes.
DiagnosIs
At each appointment, you will get a blood pressure reading. For the most accurate reading, sit quietly. Talking can raise your blood pressure up to 10 points. Your back should be supported, your feet should be on the ground, and your arm should be resting at heart level.
Your provider will also ask about your health history, lifestyle, and family history. If your numbers are high, you may get orders to do bloodwork and urine tests.
Treatment
Lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication, are used to treat high blood pressure.
Dietary Changes
Many providers recommend the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.
This plan includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.
You also want to limit your sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day.
Exercise
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. It doesn’t have to be all at once. Even short bursts of activity add up.
Exercise improves blood pressure and also helps with weight loss. Both lower your risk of heart disease and many other conditions.
Medication
Diuretics: Help to eliminate excess sodium and water to reduce blood volume
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: Relax blood vessels by blocking a hormone that narrows blood vessels
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): Block the effects of a hormone that can increase blood pressure
Calcium channel blockers: Relax blood vessels and reduce the workload on your heart
Beta blockers: Decrease your heart rate and the amount of blood your heart needs to pump
How We Can Help
Each of your appointments should start with a blood pressure reading. If your blood pressure is slightly or moderately high, your provider can work directly with you to control it. If your case is severe or your provider thinks you may have related issues like heart disease, you may be referred to a cardiologist. In that case, your provider and the cardiologist will partner to make sure you have the a comprehensive long-term care plan.
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