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Family Health
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
What Is Blood Pressure?
Everyone has blood pressure. Blood pressure is the forward thrust of the blood against the walls of the arteries in the body. This thrust is produced by the heart as it pumps or beats. It keeps blood moving through the arteries-the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to all parts of the body. The walls of the arteries are elastic and muscular. They stretch and contract to take the variations of blood flow and force. Each time the heart contracts, blood pressure in the arteries increases. Each time the heart relaxes between beats, blood pressure decreases.
What Do The Numbers In A Blood Pressure Reading Mean?
The first and highest number (systolic) gives you the pressure inside your artery when the heart beats; the second and lower number (diastolic) tells you the pressure in the same artery a split second later when the heart is at rest. If the numbers of your blood pressure are higher than normal, you may need your blood pressure monitored or to seek medical evaluation depending on how high the numbers are.
What Is "normal" Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure may go up or down for various reasons during the course of the day. For example, blood pressure may be temporarily affected by activity, time of day, emotions, eating, smoking and body position. In general, national guidelines suggest that in persons aged 18 and over, blood pressure measurements of less than 140 over 90 (both readings) are normal. In a mass screening program such as that conducted by the High Blood Pressure Risk Reduction Program, readings less than 140 over 90 are considered normal, readings of 140 to 159 over 90 to 99 are considered borderline and readings greater than 159 over 99 are considered high.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Certain arteries in the body, called arterioles, regulate your blood pressure. They are the smallest branches of the aorta, which is the main artery leaving the heart, carrying blood in the circulatory system. If the arterioles narrow for any reason, the blood cannot easily pass through. This increases the blood pressure in the arteries and may overwork the heart. If the pressure increases above normal and stays there, the result is high blood pressure.
Is High Blood Pressure A Common Condition?
It is estimated that nearly 60 million Americans - that's one out of every four - have high blood pressure and about half of them don't ever know it because there are no specific symptoms. It is further estimated that it is more prevalent among African Americans.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
In most cases of high blood pressure, the cause is not known. This is called essential or primary hypertension (high blood pressure). In about 5-10% of the cases of high blood pressure, the cause can be identified such as kidney disease, tumor of the adrenal glands, heart defects and disorders of the nervous system. There are risk factors, however, that influence an individual's chance of getting high blood pressure. The risk factors that cannot be controlled are age, sex, race, and family history of hypertension. As we get older, blood pressure may rise. Males are at higher risk for developing high blood pressure at an earlier age than females. Hypertension is more prevalent among Black Americans than among White Americans and deaths from complications of high blood pressure are also more frequent and occur earlier among Blacks than Whites. Also, hypertension occurs more often in individuals with a family history of high blood pressure.
There are lifestyle factors that also influence the risk of developing high blood pressure and these can be controlled. They include smoking, high blood cholesterol and sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise).
What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" because there are no definite reliable, early warning signals of this disease. Symptoms such as nervousness, anxiety, dizziness, headaches or heart palpitations (beating quickly) are not usually associated with high blood pressure in the early stages.
How Is High Blood Pressure Detected?
High blood pressure is detected by taking blood pressure measurements with an inflatable cuff placed around the arm. This is a painless test which takes about 30 seconds and can be done by a doctor, nurse, medical technician, or anyone who has been properly trained. Each person should have his/her blood pressure taken at least once a year. If a person is suspected of having high blood pressure after a single measurement, several readings will usually be done over a period of weeks, in order for the physician to confirm this diagnosis.
Is High Blood Pressure Harmful?
Yes, high blood pressure causes the heart to pump harder to circulate the blood. In time, the heart muscles may tire from the added strain. High blood pressure contributes to hardening of the arteries, which causes blood vessels to become hardened, less elastic, and narrower. Injury of these blood vessels may cause damage to important organs-the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. This can lead to serious medical problems including heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and blindness. Hypertension reduces life expectancy, and the higher the pressure the greater the mortality.
How Is High Blood Pressure Treated?
High blood pressure requires treatment and supervision by a doctor. In cases where blood pressure is only slightly above normal, treatment may not be indicated. The doctor may simply periodically check your blood pressure to insure that it doesn't go any higher. He/she may suggest lifestyle changes such as a low fat, low salt change in diet, a weight-loss program, an exercise program, quitting smoking and learning stress-reduction and relaxation techniques. The physician may also include lifestyle changes as part of your treatment regime. If treatment becomes necessary, your doctor may prescribe drug therapy. Most people who need a blood pressure control drug require lifelong treatment. Therefore, you should never stop taking your medication simply because your high blood pressure has been controlled; consult your doctor first. In those few cases where a specific cause of high blood pressure (kidney disease, tumor, etc.) can be found, it's sometimes possible to cure high blood pressure, but in most cases high blood pressure must be controlled throughout one's lifetime.
Where Can I Get My Blood Pressure Taken?
Your family doctor, community health clinic and neighborhood services organizations are all possible sources of this test.
Updated: March 2002
Source: Erie County Department of Health
Your information resource from the government of Erie County, New York
