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High Blood Pressure(Essential Hypertension; Hypertension; Blood Pressure, High; High Blood Pressure; Idiopathic Hypertension; Primary Hypertension)
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionHigh blood pressure (hypertension) is when the force on the blood vessel walls is too high. Blood pressure measurement includes two numbers:
Blood pressure categories are:
High blood pressure puts stress on the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels. Over time, this can cause severe health problems. Early treatment can improve outcomes.
CausesThe body has many steps to help keep blood pressure in a healthy range. It is not clear what changes happen that lead to high blood pressure. Things that may play a role are:
Risk FactorsThis problem usually starts when a person is between 20 and 50 years of age. The risk increases with age. Other things that may raise the risk are:
SymptomsMost people do not have symptoms until blood pressure is very high. Problems may be:
DiagnosisHigh blood pressure is often found during a doctor's visit. If the reading is high, you will come back for repeat checks. High blood pressure will be confirmed after more than two readings over more than two visits. A doctor's office can make some people nervous. This can cause higher than normal blood pressure. You may be asked to measure your blood pressure at home or in another location. TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to lower blood pressure. The methods used may need to be changed over time. Choices are: Lifestyle ChangesLifestyle changes are often the first method used to lower blood pressure. Options are:
MedicinePeople who are not helped by lifestyle changes may need medicine. Options are:
PreventionThe risk of this problem may be lowered by:
RESOURCES:American Heart Association http://www.heart.org National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov CANADIAN RESOURCESCanadian Cardiovascular Society http://www.ccs.ca Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada http://www.heartandstroke.ca References:High blood pressure. American Heart Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed February 10, 2021.
Hypertension. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypertension. Accessed February 10, 2021.
What is high blood pressure?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure.
Accessed February 10, 2021. Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol 2018 May 15;71(19):e127.
1/5/2018
DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypertension: Whelton PK, Carey RM, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2017 Nov 13. [Epub ahead of print].
Last reviewed February 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
James P. Cornell, MD Last Updated: 2/10/2021 | |