High Blood Pressure
(Hypertension)DESCRIPTION
An increase in the force against arteries (blood vessels) as blood circulates through them.
Blood pressure normally goes up as a result of stress or physical activity, but a person with hypertension has high blood pressure at rest.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Usually no symptoms unless disease is severe.
Following are symptoms of a hypertensive crisis: (rare, especially in patients under treatment)
Headache.
Drowsiness.
Confusion.
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Coughing blood.
Nosebleeds.
Severe shortness of breath.
CAUSES
Usually unknown.
A small number of cases result from:
Chronic kidney disease.
Severe narrowing of the aorta (major artery of the heart).
Disorders of some endocrine glands.
Hardening of the arteries.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Adults over 60.
Obesity.
Smoking.
Stress.
Alcoholism.
Diet that is high in salt or saturated fat.
Sedentary lifestyle.
Genetic factors.
Hypertension is most common among blacks.
Family history of hypertension, stroke, heart attack or kidney failure.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Essential hypertension (from unknown causes) cannot be prevented at present.
If you have a family history of hypertension, obtain frequent blood pressure checks.
If hypertension is detected early, treatment that includes diet, exercise, stress management, smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, and medication can usually prevent complications.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
With treatment, complications are almost entirely preventable.
Without treatment, life expectancy is reduced because of the likelihood of heart attack or stroke.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Stroke.
Heart attack.
Congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema.
Kidney failure.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
- Diagnostic tests may include laboratory studies of blood and an ECG.
- overall treatment goals will be individualized and may involve weight loss; smoking cessation; exercise program; reduction in alcohol consumption; and lifestyle changes to reduce stress.
- Learn to take your own blood pressure and monitor it frequently.
MEDICATION
Antihypertensive medications can reduce blood pressure if more conservative measures don't work.
Normal activity with exercise program at least 3 times a week. This helps reduce stress and maintain normal body weight; it may lower blood pressure.
Seek medical advice (your doctor or an exercise physiologist) about an exercise prescription.
DIET
Low-salt diet.
Reducing diet if overweight.
Maintain a low fat diet to prevent the added risk of high cholesterol.
NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF
You or a family member has symptoms of a hypertensive crisis.
- Chest pain or pressure occurs. This may be an emergency. Seek help immediately!
- Symptoms of high-blood pressure continue despite treatment.
- New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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