Hypertension

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Hypertension

Overview

Tips and Extra Resources

OverviewOverview

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. If your heart pumps more blood and your arteries are narrower, your blood pressure is higher.

Over time, increased pressure can cause health problems, such as heart disease. Hypertension typically develops over many years, and it eventually affects nearly everyone. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected, and once you know you have it, you can work with your doctor to control it.

Risk Factors

Several factors increase the risk of developing hypertension. Understanding these risk factors helps in preventive measures and managing the condition effectively.

Common risk factors include:

Age: The risk of hypertension increases as you age.
Family history: High blood pressure tends to run in families.
Obesity: Being overweight requires more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues, increasing blood pressure.
Lack of physical activity: Physical inactivity contributes to weight gain and higher blood pressure.
Tobacco use: Smoking or chewing tobacco can immediately raise your blood pressure temporarily, and the chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls.
Dietary factors: Diets high in salt (sodium), low in potassium, and high in alcohol contribute to higher blood pressure.
Stress: High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure.
Chronic conditions: Certain chronic conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure.

Causes

Hypertension typically has no single identifiable cause but often results from a combination of factors. Essential hypertension, the most common type, has no identifiable cause but tends to develop gradually over many years.

Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, develops quickly and can be more serious. It has identifiable causes, including:

Kidney disease
Adrenal gland tumors
Thyroid problems
Obstructive sleep apnea
Medications such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers, and some prescription drugs
Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
Alcohol abuse or chronic alcohol consumption
Obesity
Heart defects you're born with (congenital heart defects)

Signs and Symptoms

Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because many people with high blood pressure don't know they have it, as it may not have any noticeable symptoms.

However, some signs and symptoms can occur as the blood pressure reaches critically high levels, including:

Severe headache
Fatigue or confusion
Vision problems
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Irregular heartbeat
Blood in the urine
Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears

Diagnosis and Tests

Hypertension is diagnosed using a blood pressure monitor. A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic pressure. The systolic number (the top number) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The diastolic number (the bottom number) measures the pressure in your arteries between beats.

To diagnose hypertension, your doctor may recommend:

Regular blood pressure monitoring
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to measure your blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours
Urine tests
Blood tests
Cholesterol test
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
Echocardiogram

Treatments

Treatment for hypertension typically involves lifestyle changes and medication. Lifestyle changes can significantly improve your condition and might even be sufficient to control hypertension without the need for medication.

Common lifestyle changes and treatments include:

Eating a healthy diet with less salt
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Limiting alcohol consumption
Quitting smoking
Managing stress
Getting enough sleep
Medications
Diuretics
Beta-blockers
ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin II receptor blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Alpha blockers
Alpha-2 receptor agonists
Combined alpha and beta-blockers
Vasodilators
Dual endothelin receptor antagonist
Renal Denervation

Tips and Extra Resources

Managing hypertension involves regular monitoring, lifestyle changes, and understanding your condition. Here are some tips to help:

Regularly monitor your blood pressure at home and keep a log to share with your doctor.
Engage in stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises.
Read labels on food packaging to be aware of salt and fat content.
Join support groups or communities for individuals dealing with hypertension.
Stay informed about the latest research and treatments for hypertension.

Latest News: Hypertension

What Patients Need to Know About Renal Denervation, with John Giacona, PhD, PA-C

John Giacona, PhD, PA-C, explains renal denervation offers a minimally invasive option to help lower blood pressure, but patients should understand it is an adjunct to lifestyle changes and medications, not a standalone cure.