Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious medical condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. It can be scary and overwhelming to learn you have high blood pressure. The best approach is to stop. Take a deep breath, and learn everything you can about hypertension and how to avoid complications.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious medical condition leading to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. It affects one in every two adults in the United States, yet many people don't even know they have it. Even people taking medication for hypertension aren't aware that their dose may be too low.
The only way to know if you have hypertension is to get your blood pressure checked. Many medical professionals refer to high blood pressure as a silent killer because it often has no symptoms.
Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is too high. A healthy blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mmHg. If your reading is consistently above that, you have high blood pressure.
Different Stages of Hypertension
There are different stages of hypertension, and your treatment will depend on your location.
Elevated or Pre-Hypertension
Elevated blood pressure occurs when your systolic blood pressure (the top number) is 120 or higher, but your diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is less than 80. This is mild hypertension.
Stage 1
Stage one is when your systolic blood pressure is 130 to 139, or your diastolic blood pressure is 90. This is moderate hypertension.
Stage 2
Stage two occurs when your systolic blood pressure is 140 or higher, or your diastolic blood pressure is 90 or higher. This is severe hypertension.
Hypertensive Crisis
A hypertensive crisis is when your blood pressure is so high that it puts you at risk of a heart attack or stroke. Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis include:
- Severe chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- Visual changes
- Difficulty speaking
These symptoms require emergency treatment and can be life-threatening.
It's important to know that a hypertensive crisis can happen even if you don't have a previous diagnosis of hypertension.
Causes of Hypertension
Many factors can contribute to hypertension, including:
- Age: as you get older, your blood vessels become stiffer and narrower, increasing blood flow resistance and raising blood pressure.
- Family history: if your parents or grandparents had high blood pressure, you're more likely to have it.
- Being overweight or obese: carrying extra weight puts stress on your heart and kidneys, leading to high blood pressure.
- Smoking: nicotine constricts your blood vessels, which raises your blood pressure.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: drinking over two alcoholic beverages a day can increase your blood pressure.
- Chronic stress: long-term stress can lead to high blood pressure.
- Certain health conditions: diabetes, sleep apnea, and kidney disease can cause hypertension.
Treatment for Hypertension
How your physician approaches your high blood pressure diagnosis varies depending on how severe your hypertension is.
For mild hypertension (systolic blood pressure of 130-139 or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89), your doctor may:
- Recommend making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthier diet, exercising more, and quitting smoking. Patients should also lower their BMI if they're overweight or obese.
- Monitor your blood pressure closely.
- Prescribe medication if lifestyle changes don't help lower your blood pressure after a few months.
For moderate hypertension (systolic blood pressure of 140-159 or diastolic blood pressure of 90-99), your doctor will probably:
- Recommend lifestyle changes and medication to lower your blood pressure.
- Monitor your blood pressure closely.
- Prescribe a combination of medications if lifestyle changes and one medication don't help lower your blood pressure after a few months.
For severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure of 160 or higher or diastolic blood pressure of 100 or higher), your doctor will likely:
- Recommend lifestyle changes and medication to lower your blood pressure.
- Monitor your blood pressure closely.
- Prescribe a combination of medications if lifestyle changes and other medications don't help lower your blood pressure after a few months.
What Tests Can I Expect?
If you have symptoms of hypertension or your blood pressure is high, your doctor will likely order a blood pressure test. This simple test measures your systolic and diastolic blood pressure by inflating a cuff around your arm and quickly releasing it.
Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. It can help show how well your heart is pumping and whether your heart valves are functioning correctly. Your doctor may also recommend one or more of the following tests:
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: You wear a small device connected to a monitor. The device automatically takes your blood pressure several times throughout the day. This can help your doctor identify when and how much your blood pressure changes.
Kidney function tests: These tests measure how well your kidneys are filtering your blood. Impaired kidney function can lead to high blood pressure.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of your heart and can help show whether you have heart disease.
Blood tests: Your doctor may order blood tests to check for anemia (low red blood cell count), high cholesterol, and signs of kidney disease or other conditions that can cause hypertension.
Types of Medication Used to Treat Hypertension
There are many types of medication used to treat hypertension. Your doctor's style (s) will depend on how severe your hypertension is, your other health conditions, and your response to treatment.
Some common medications used to treat hypertension include:
Thiazide diuretics help your body get rid of excess salt and water. Examples include hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone.
Beta-blockers, which work by slowing your heart rate and relaxing your blood vessels. Examples include metoprolol and propranolol.
ACE inhibitors prevent your body from making a substance that narrows your blood vessels. Examples include lisinopril and enalapril.
Calcium channel blockers, which relax and widen your blood vessels. Examples include amlodipine and diltiazem.
ARBs, which block the hormone that narrows your blood vessels. Examples include valsartan and irbesartan.
Alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles around your blood vessels. Examples include doxazosin and terazosin.
What to Expect from Hypertension Treatment
If you have hypertension, it's essential to work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that works for you.
They will monitor your blood pressure closely, and you may need to come in for regular appointments to check on your progress.
If you're prescribed medication, it's essential to take it as directed and keep track of any side effects you may experience.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can be complex, but they're essential for lowering your blood pressure and controlling it.
Your doctor may recommend changes such as:
Eating a healthier diet: This means eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and less salt, saturated fat, and sugar.
Exercising regularly means getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) every week.
Maintaining a healthy weight, meaning having a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25.
Quitting smoking: This can be difficult, but it's one of the most important things you can do for your health.
Limiting alcohol use: Only two drinks per day for men and one drink for women.
If you have hypertension, it's essential to work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you. You can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of severe health complications with the proper treatment.
Hypertension can be a severe condition, but there are many things you can do to lower your blood pressure and keep it under control. By working with your doctor and making lifestyle changes, you can keep your hypertension under control and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.
It is essential to take care of your mental and physical health to reduce hypertension. If you need help, Antidote Health can connect you with professionals who can help. We offer regular monitoring and complete digital management solutions to help busy people like you stay on top of your health. Our comprehensive services are affordable and convenient, so you can get the care you need without the hassle. Visit us today to learn more about managing hypertension and other conditions with Antidote Health.
