Learn more about ways to manage and prevent high blood pressure. In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure. Learn more about medicines for high blood pressure.
By taking action to lower your blood pressure, you can help protect yourself against heart disease and stroke, also sometimes called cardiovascular disease CVD. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. High Blood Pressure. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. What is blood pressure? What do blood pressure numbers mean? What are normal blood pressure numbers?
What is high blood pressure hypertension? What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure? What causes high blood pressure?
What problems does high blood pressure cause? What can I do to prevent or manage high blood pressure? Close You can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems that may affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Learn about conditions related to high blood pressure. Measure Your Blood Pressure. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Elevated blood pressure means that your blood pressure is slightly above what is considered normal.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references High blood pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Dec.
Whelton PK, et al. Flynn JT, et al. Clinical practice guideline for screening and management of high blood pressure in children and adults. Rethinking drinking: Alcohol and your health. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. What is high blood pressure? American Heart Association. A blood pressure reading is taken with a pressure cuff.
An ill-fitting cuff may deliver inaccurate readings. Blood pressure readings are different for children and teenagers. Hypertension is generally a silent condition. It may take years or even decades for the condition to reach levels severe enough that symptoms become obvious. Even then, these symptoms may be attributed to other issues. Symptoms of severe hypertension can include:. The best way to know if you have hypertension is to get regular blood pressure readings.
If you only have a yearly physical, talk with your doctor about your risks for hypertension and other readings you may need to help you watch your blood pressure. For example, if you have a family history of heart disease or have risk factors for developing the condition, your doctor may recommend that you have your blood pressure checked twice a year.
This helps you and your doctor stay on top of any possible issues before they become problematic. Essential hypertension is also called primary hypertension.
This kind of hypertension develops over time. Most people have this type of high blood pressure. A combination of factors typically play a role in the development of essential hypertension:. Secondary hypertension often occurs quickly and can become more severe than primary hypertension.
Several conditions that may cause secondary hypertension include:. Diagnosing hypertension is as simple as taking a blood pressure reading. If your blood pressure is elevated, your doctor may request you have more readings over the course of a few days or weeks. A hypertension diagnosis is rarely given after just one reading. Your doctor needs to see evidence of a sustained problem. Also, blood pressure levels change throughout the day. If your blood pressure remains high, your doctor will likely conduct more tests to rule out underlying conditions.
These tests can include:. These tests can help your doctor identify any secondary issues causing your elevated blood pressure. They can also look at the effects high blood pressure may have had on your organs. During this time, your doctor may begin treating your hypertension. Early treatment may reduce your risk of lasting damage. A number of factors help your doctor determine the best treatment option for you. These factors include which type of hypertension you have and what causes have been identified.
If your doctor diagnoses you with primary hypertension, lifestyle changes may help reduce your high blood pressure. If your doctor discovers an underlying issue causing your hypertension, treatment will focus on that other condition. Sometimes, hypertension is persistent despite treatment for the underlying cause. In this case, your doctor may work with you to develop lifestyle changes and prescribe medications to help reduce your blood pressure. Treatment plans for hypertension often evolve.
What worked at first may become less useful over time. Your doctor will continue to work with you to refine your treatment. Many people go through a trial-and-error phase with blood pressure medications. Your doctor may need to try different medications until they find one or a combination that works for you. Healthy lifestyle changes can help you control the factors that cause hypertension. Here are some of the most common ones. A heart-healthy diet is vital for helping to reduce high blood pressure.
These complications include heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. In addition to helping you lose weight if your doctor has recommended it , exercise can help lower blood pressure naturally, and strengthen your cardiovascular system.
Aim to get minutes of moderate physical activity each week. If you regularly consume too much alcohol or have an alcohol dependency, seek help to reduce the amount you drink or stop altogether. Drinking alcohol in excess can raise blood pressure. If you have risk factors for hypertension, you can take steps now to lower your risk for the condition and its complications.
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