Hypertension; HBP; Blood pressure - high

Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.
The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg most of the time.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is when your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above most of the time.
 
 Causes, incidence, and risk factors


Many factors can affect blood pressure, including:
The condition of your kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels
High blood pressure increases your chance of having a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, and early death.
You have a higher risk of high blood pressure if you:
Have a family history of high blood pressure
High blood pressure that is caused by another medical condition or medication is called secondary hypertension. Chronic kidney disease
Narrowed artery that supplies blood to the kidney (renal artery stenosis)

 Symptoms

 If you have a severe headache, nausea or vomiting, bad headache, confusion, changes in your vision, or nosebleeds you may have a severe and dangerous form of high blood pressure called malignant hypertension

 Signs and tests


Your health care provider will check your blood pressure several times before diagnosing you with high blood pressure. Blood pressure readings taken at home may be a better measure of your current blood pressure than those taken at your doctor's office. See also: Blood pressure monitors for home
High cholesterol levels
Heart disease, such as an echocardiogram or electrocardiogram

 Treatment


You and your health care provider should set a blood pressure goal for you.
If you have pre-hypertension, your health care provider will recommend lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down to a normal range. You can do many things to help control your blood pressure, including:
Eat a heart-healthy diet, including potassium and fiber, and drink plenty of water. See: High blood pressure and diet
Stay at a healthy body weight -- find a weight-loss program to help you, if you need it.
Your health care provider can help you find programs for losing weight, stopping smoking, and exercising. See: High blood pressure medicines

 Expectations (prognosis)

Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Complications



Bleeding from the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs
Heart attack and heart failure
Poor blood supply to the legs

 Calling your health care provider

If you have high blood pressure, you will have regular appointments with your doctor.
Even if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checked during your yearly check-up, especially if someone in your family has or had high blood pressure.
Call your health care provider right away if home monitoring shows that your blood pressure is still high.

 Prevention


Adults over 18 should have their blood pressure checked regularly.
Lifestyle changes may help control your blood pressure