Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure

What causes high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls.

The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, and to the development of heart failure.

What Is "Normal" Blood Pressure?

A blood pressure reading has a top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic). The ranges are:

·         Normal: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80)

·         Prehypertension: 120-139 over 80-89

·         Stage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159 over 90-99

·         Stage 2 high blood pressure: 160 and above over 100 and above

People whose blood pressure is above the normal range should consult their doctor about steps to take to lower it.

Essential Hypertension

• In as many as 95% of reported high blood pressure cases in the U.S., the underlying cause cannot be determined.
• This type of high blood pressure is called essential hypertension.
• Though essential hypertension remains somewhat mysterious, it has been linked to certain risk factors.
• High blood pressure tends to run in families and is more likely to affect men than women.
• Essential hypertension is also greatly influenced by diet and lifestyle.
• The link between salt and high blood pressure is especially compelling.
• The majority of all people with high blood pressure are "salt sensitive," meaning that anything more than the minimal bodily need for salt is too much for them and increases their blood pressure.
•  Other factors that can raise the risk of having essential hypertension include obesity; diabetes; stress; insufficient intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium; lack of physical activity; and chronic alcohol consumption.

Secondary Hypertension

1. When a direct cause for high blood pressure can be identified, the condition is described as secondary hypertension.
2. Among the known causes of secondary hypertension, kidney disease ranks highest.
3. Hypertension can also be triggered by tumors or other abnormalities that cause the adrenal glands (small glands that sit atop the kidneys) to secrete excess amounts of the hormones that elevate blood pressure.
4.  Birth control pills -- specifically those containing estrogen -- and pregnancy can boost blood pressure, as can medications that constrict blood vessels. 

Who Is More Likely to Develop High Blood Pressure?

People with family members who have high blood pressure

• Smokers
• African-Americans
• Pregnant women
• Women who take birth control pills
• People over the age of 35
• People who are overweight or obese
• People who are not active
• People who drink alcohol excessively
• People who eat too many fatty foods or foods with too much salt
• People who have sleep apnea
• Symptoms & Types
• Warning Signs

Types

Malignant Hypertension

Malignant hypertension is extremely high blood pressure that develops suddenly and rapidly and causes some type of organ damage.

Renal hypertension

Renal hypertension, also called renovascular hypertension, is elevated blood pressure caused by kidney disease.

Complications

High Blood Pressure and Atherosclerosis

One of the most serious health problems related to untreated high blood pressure, atherosclerosis contributes to coronary artery disease. Learn about symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Stroke and Hypertension

A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area in the brain is cut off and people who have hypertension are four to six times more likely to have a stroke. Stay safe: Learn your risk factors and the warning signs of stroke and what to do in a stroke emergency.

Hypertension and Heart Disease

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death associated with hypertension. Learn more about related heart conditions, their diagnoses, and treatment.

Kidney Disease and Hypertension

Hypertension is a major cause of kidney disease and kidney failure. 

High Blood Pressure and Eye Disease

Untreated hypertension can affect your eyesight, causing damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Known as hypertensive retinopathy, learn more about this condition and its prevention.

High Blood Pressure and Diabetes

Hypertension is a risk factor for the development and worsening of many diabetes complications, and likewise having diabetes increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. Learn more about how these two conditions affect one another.

Preeclampsia: High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy

High blood pressure can be a sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related problem that can become life-threatening. 

Metabolic Syndrome and High Blood Pressure

Metabolic syndrome is a group of health problems which include too much fat around the waist, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and more -- all increasing your risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. 

High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction

High blood pressure by itself can lead to erectile dysfunction. But some drugs fortreating high blood pressure can actually be the cause as well. Find out more about why high blood pressure is a major cause of erection problems.

Treatment & Care

Treating high blood pressure can take a multi-pronged approach including diet changes, medication, and exercise. Learn about hypertension treatment options here.

Treatment

Hypertension Treatment

Treatment for hypertension comes in many forms -- from lifestyle changes to medication. Learn more from this overview about how to lower blood pressure here.

High Blood Pressure and Smoking

Did you know that people who smoke are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease? Learn more and get tips on quitting -- and avoiding a relapse.

Hypertension and Stress

Left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Get tips on the warning signs of dangerous stress and learn how to reduce it, while boosting a positive outlook.

Complementary and Alternative Treatment for Hypertension

There are many types of complementary and alternative treatments believed to be effective for treating hypertension. Get the facts on your options.

High Blood Pressure Drugs

Your doctor has hundreds of different high blood pressure drugs to choose from. These medications work in a variety of ways to lower blood pressure.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are drugs used to lower blood pressure. They work by slowing the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, which makes it easier for the heart to pump and widens blood vessels.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are high blood pressure drugs that widen or dilate your blood vessels to improve the amount of blood your heart pumps and lower blood pressure.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have the same effects as ACE inhibitors, another type of blood pressure drug, but work by a different mechanism.

Diuretics (Water Pills)

For high blood pressure, diuretics, commonly known as "water pills," help your body get rid of unneeded water and salt through the urine. Getting rid of excess salt and fluid helps lower blood pressure and can make it easier for your heart to pump.

Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers are drugs used to treat high blood pressure. They block the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on the heart.

Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements

In the past 10 years, many Americans have turned to omega-3 fish oil supplements. Dietary fish and fish oil supplements have benefits for healthy people and also those with heart disease.

Tips for Checking Your Own Blood Pressure

There are certain factors that can cause blood pressure to temporarily rise. For example, blood pressure normally rises as a result of:

•          Stress
•          Smoking
•          Cold temperatures
•          Exercise
•          Caffeine

·         Certain medicines

Try to avoid as many of these factors as you can when taking your blood pressure. Also, try to measure your blood pressure at about the same time each day. Your doctor may want you to check your blood pressure several times during the day to see if it fluctuates.

Before Checking Your Blood Pressure

1. ·         Find a quiet place to check your blood pressure. You will need to listen for your heartbeat.
2. ·         Make sure that you are comfortable and relaxed with a recently emptied bladder (a full bladder may affect your reading).
3. ·         Roll up the sleeve on your arm or remove any tight-sleeved clothing.
4. ·         Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. Your arm should rest comfortably at heart level. Sit up straight with your back against the chair, legs uncrossed. Rest your forearm on the table with the palm of your hand facing up.

Step-by-Step Blood Pressure Check

If you purchase a manual or digital blood pressure monitor (sphygmomanometer), follow the instruction carefully.

The following steps provide an overview of how to take your left arm blood pressure on either a manual or digital blood pressure monitor. Simply reverse the sides to take a blood pressure in your right arm.

1. Locate your pulse

Locate your pulse by lightly pressing your index and middle fingers slightly to the inside center of the bend of your elbow (where the brachial artery is). If you cannot locate your pulse, place the head of the stethoscope (on a manual monitor) or the arm cuff (on a digital monitor) in the same general area.

2. Secure the cuff

Thread the cuff end through the metal loop and slide the cuff onto your arm, making sure that the stethoscope head is over the artery (when using a manual monitor.) The cuff may be marked with an arrow to show the location of the stethoscope head. The lower edge of the cuff should be about 1 inch above the bend of your elbow. Use the fabric fastener to make the cuff snug, but not too tight.

Place the stethoscope in your ears. Tilt the ear pieces slightly forward to get the best sound.

3. Inflate and deflate the cuff

1. If you are using a manual monitor:
2.  Hold the pressure gauge in your left hand and the bulb in your right.
3.  Close the airflow valve on the bulb by turning the screw clockwise.
4. Inflate the cuff by squeezing the bulb with your right hand. You may hear your pulse in the stethoscope.
5.  Watch the gauge. Keep inflating the cuff until the gauge reads about 30 points (mm Hg) above your expected systolic pressure. At this point, you should not hear your pulse in the stethoscope.
6.  Keeping your eyes on the gauge, slowly release the pressure in the cuff by opening the airflow valve counterclockwise. The gauge should fall only 2 to 3 points with each heartbeat. (You may need to practice turning the valve slowly.)
7.  Listen carefully for the first pulse beat. As soon as you hear it, note the reading on the gauge. This reading is your systolic pressure (the force of the blood against the artery walls as your heart beats).
8.  Continue to slowly deflate the cuff.
9.  Listen carefully until the sound disappears. As soon as you can no longer hear your pulse, note the reading on the gauge. This reading is your diastolic pressure (the blood pressure between heartbeats).
10. Allow the cuff to completely deflate.

If you are using a digital monitor:
·         Hold the bulb in your right hand.
·         Press the power button. All display symbols should appear briefly, followed by a zero. This indicates that the monitor is ready.
·         Inflate the cuff by squeezing the bulb with your right hand. If you have a monitor with automatic cuff inflation, press the start button.
·         Watch the gauge. Keep inflating the cuff until the gauge reads about 30 points (mm Hg) above your expected systolic pressure.
·         Sit quietly and watch the monitor. Pressure readings will be displayed on the screen. For some devices, values may appear on the left, then on the right.
·         Wait for a long beep. This means that the measurement is complete. Note the pressures on the display screen. Systolic pressure (the force of the blood against the artery walls as your heart beats) appears on the left and diastolic pressure (the blood pressure between heartbeats) on the right. Your pulse rate may also be displayed in between or after this reading.
·         Allow the cuff to deflate.
If you did not get an accurate reading, DO NOT inflate the cuff again right away. Wait one minute before repeating the measurement. Start by reapplying the cuff.

4. Record your blood pressure.

Follow your doctor's instructions on when and how often you should measure your blood pressure. Record the date, time, systolic and diastolic pressures. You should also record any special circumstances like any recent exercise, meal, or stressful event.

At least once a year, and especially after you first purchase your blood pressure monitor, bring your monitor with you to your doctor's visit to check the machine’s accuracy. This is done by comparing a blood pressure reading from your machine with one from the doctor's office machine.