Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Charts, Symptoms, Diet …

What is high blood pressure? What is normal blood pressure?

It is beneficial to add potassium to the diet. Studies show that people who consume more potassium have lower blood pressures. Good sources of potassium include:

Along with lowering salt in the diet, a balanced eating plan that also reduces cholesterol intake and fatty foods is recommended. The TLC Diet (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) often is recommended to lower blood cholesterol.

What do blood pressure readings mean? (blood pressure readings chart)

Blood pressure readings can vary in a single person throughout the day depending on the situation. Factors such as stress, anxiety, foods eaten (caffeine or salt intake), smoking, or exercise can cause pressure to rise.

The American Heart Association defines a normal blood pressure as less than 120/80. Elevated blood pressure ranges between 120/80 and 129/80, and high blood pressure is 130/80 and higher. In pregnancy normal blood pressure should be below 120/80.

If your blood pressure reaches into the high range, you should see your doctor about lifestyle changes, and possibly medication especially if you have other risk factors, such as diabetes or heart disease.

High blood pressure (for example, 180/110 or higher) may indicate an emergency situation. If this high blood pressure is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, or back or abdominal pain, seek medical care immediately. If you are experiencing no associated symptoms with a high blood pressure reading such as this, re-check it again within a few minutes and contact your doctor or go to an emergency room if it is still high.

If your blood pressure is lower than about 100/60 you may have low blood pressure, depending on the associated symptoms. If you are unsure, check with your doctor.

What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure may not have any symptoms and so hypertension has been labeled "the silent killer." Longstanding high blood pressure can lead to multiple complications including heart attack, kidney disease, or stroke.

Some people experience symptoms with their high blood pressure. These symptoms include:

What causes high blood pressure?

The causes of hypertension are multifactorial, meaning there are several factors whose combined effects produce hypertension.

How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is measured by a blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer). The blood pressure cuff consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff. The instrument measures the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

The cuff is placed around the upper arm and inflated with an air pump to a pressure that blocks the flow of blood in the main artery that travels through the arm. The arm is held at the side of the body at the level of the heart, and the pressure of the cuff is gradually released. As the pressure decreases, a health practitioner listens with a stethoscope over the artery at the front of the elbow or an electronic machine senses the pulsation. The pressure at which the practitioner (or machine) first hears a pulsation from the artery is the systolic pressure (the top number). As the cuff pressure decreases further, the pressure at which the pulsation finally stops is the diastolic pressure (the bottom number).

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

To make an official diagnosis of high blood pressure you will need to see your doctor. Often your blood pressure will be checked on at least two different visits, at different times of the day. Your doctor may ask you to keep a blood pressure log for a short time in order to see your overall blood pressure trends. If your blood pressure is consistently over 134/80, your doctor will work with you to determine the best regimen for treating your high blood pressure.

What is the treatment for high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is caused by many different factors, so there are many different treatments. The goal of treating high blood pressure is to keep the blood pressure below 134/80.

Treatments for high blood pressure include:

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What changes in diet help lower blood pressure naturally?

Dietary changes are often the first line of treatment recommended by your doctor. You may be advised to:

Doctors often recommend the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet created by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which focuses on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean meats.

In addition to dietary modification, quitting smoking is extremely beneficial in managing high blood pressure.

Can exercise help lower high blood pressure?

Exercise and physical activity helps lower blood pressure by helping you lose weight and keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.

Weight loss achieved through diet and exercise helps control factors such as blood sugar, and other complications of obesity. Avoiding these complications helps lower blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure.

Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Cardiovascular activities including walking, jogging, biking, or swimming for 30 to 45 minutes per day can help lower blood pressure.

What alternative therapies help lower and mangage high blood pressure?

Some complementary and alternative medicine strategies can help you manage your high blood pressure and prevent it from becoming elevated further.

What alternative therapies help lower and mangage high blood pressure?

Some complementary and alternative medicine strategies can help you manage your high blood pressure and prevent it from becoming elevated further.

Medically Reviewed on 12/7/2017

References

American College of Cardiology. "2017 Guideline for High Blood Pressure in Adults. 13 November 2017." Updated: Nov 13, 2017.<http://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2017/11/09/11/41/2017-guideline-for-high-blood-pressure-in-adults>

American Heart Association. "About High Blood Pressure." Updated: Jan 22, 2013.

American Heart Association. "High blood pressure redefined for first time in 14 years: 130 is the new high." Updated: Nov 13, 2017. <http://newsroom.heart.org/news/high-blood-pressure-redefined-for-first-time-in-14-years-130-is-the-new-high?utm_campaign=sciencenews17-18&utm_source=science-news&utm_medium=phd-link&utm_content=phd11-13-17_htn-gl>

American Heart Association. "Physical Activity and Blood Pressure." 11 Feb. 2014.

American Heart Association. "Understanding Blood Pressure Readings." 1 Mar. 2013.

Basile, J, MD. et al. "Overview of hypertension in adults." UpToDate. Updated: Nov 17, 2017.<https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-hypertension-in-adults>

Mann, J. F. E., et al. "Choice of therapy in primary (essential) hypertension." UpToDate. Updated: Sep 13, 2017.<https://www.uptodate.com/contents/choice-of-drug-therapy-in-primary-essential-hypertension>

NIH. "How Is High Blood Pressure Treated?" Updated: Sep 10, 2015.<https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/treatment>

NIH. "Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure With DASH." Apr. 2006.

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Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Charts, Symptoms, Diet ...