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| Home > Mercy Medical Group > MMG Health Information > Adults > Chronic Diseases |
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) |
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DESCRIPTION
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. These
are the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. A blood
pressure reading involves two numbers. The first number measures the force of
the blood as the heart pumps. The second number is the force between beats, when
the heart is resting. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. If repeated checks show
that your blood pressure is over 140/90, you may have high blood pressure. You
may have a different goal depending on your age and your other health problems.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Typically mild to moderate high blood pressure causes no symptoms. For this
reason it is called "the silent killer". Severe hypertension may cause
headaches, changes in vision, dizziness, racing or irregular heart beat, easy
tiring, nosebleeds, chest pain or shortness of breath.
RISK FACTORS
- Increasing age
- Family history
- African-American descent
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Obesity
- A high salt diet
- Smoking
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
- Narrowing of blood vessels, which reduces the flow of blood (this may
eventually cause a heart attack, stroke, blindness or poor circulation to the
limbs)
- Damage to the kidneys, which may cause blood pressure to rise even higher
- Weakening of the walls of arteries, which may cause them to rupture (this
usually happens in the brain or abdomen)
- Weakening of heart muscle due to an overworked heart
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
- Stop smoking
- Reduce weight to a normal range
- Reduce salt (sodium) intake to less than 2,000 mg per day
- Exercise on a regular basis as advised by your physician
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly so that medical treatment can be
started or changed before complications develop. Ask your physician how often
he or she wishes you to check your blood pressure reading
EVALUATION AND TREATMENT
- Tests to diagnose the cause and severity of your high blood pressure may
include blood tests, urine studies, chest X-ray and EKG
- Regular visits to your physician for assessment of control and discussion
of possible side effects from medications
- Your physician may ask you to purchase a blood pressure measuring device
for monitoring at home
- Medications need to be taken on a daily basis for control of blood
pressure. Medications cannot be taken on an "as needed" basis
- Ask your health care professional when and how to take your medication.
CONSIDER NOTIFYING YOUR PHYSICIAN IF:
- Your home blood pressure readings are frequently outside the range
established by your doctor
- Your blood pressure medications cause shortness of breath, chest pain,
severe lightheadedness, cold arms or legs or any other symptom that you find
uncomfortable
- You are considering the use of over-the-counter cold/allergy preparations
or pain medications other than acetaminophen (TylenolŪ)
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