Hypertension or high blood pressure (high BP) is a medical condition where the pressure in the blood vessels is persistently elevated. The heart pumps blood into the arteries, which circulate blood to all parts of the body. In cases of high blood pressure, the heart has to work harder to push the blood column ahead.
Hypertension is a serious medical condition that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm, vision loss, chronic kidney disease and dementia. It is a major cause of premature death worldwide. Maintaining blood pressure within normal limits is vital for preserving health and reducing the risk of these dangerous conditions. The risk of hypertension increases after the age of 60 years.
Hypertension in the elderly (adults older than 60 years of age)
The new hypertension guidelines for the elderly are mainly related to the treatment protocols. They include
- Adults older than 60 years of age with persistent systolic blood pressure higher than 150 mmHg should be treated to achieve a target systolic blood pressure lesser than 150 mmHg.
- Adults 60 years of age or older with a history of stroke may be treated to achieve a lower target blood pressure lesser than 140 mmHg to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke.
- Adults who are older than 60 years of age and have a high cardiovascular risk may be treated to achieve a lower target blood pressure lesser than 140 mmHg.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypertension?
Hypertension is generally considered a silent killer. Most people with hypertension do not have any symptoms.
It may take many years for the condition to become severe and for symptoms to appear. Many times, these symptoms may be attributed to other issues. The best way to know the blood pressure levels is through regular checkups.
Symptoms of severe hypertension include:
- Severe headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Nervousness
- Sweating
- Fatigue or confusion
- Irregular heartbeat
- Facial flushing
- Dizziness
- Vision problems
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sleeping problems
- Blood in the urine
- Black spots in eyes
- Pounding in chest, neck or ears
What are the complications of hypertension?
Excessive pressure on artery walls caused by hypertension can damage the blood vessels and organs. Higher uncontrolled blood pressure causes greater damage.
Complications caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure include
- Heart attack or stroke: High blood pressure can cause hardening and thickening of the arteries that can lead to heart attack or stroke.
- Heart failure: The heart must work harder to pump blood against the high pressure in the blood vessels. This causes the walls of the heart's pumping chamber to thicken (left ventricular hypertrophy), which can eventually lead to heart failure.
- Aneurysm: Abnormal bulge in the blood vessel can become life-threatening if it bursts.
- Kidney failure: Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in kidneys prevent them from functioning normally.
- Vision loss: Hypertensive retinopathies in the eye can lead to blindness.
- Trouble with memory or understanding: Uncontrolled hypertension damage the small blood vessels supplying the blood vessels in the brain.
- Dementia: Narrowed or blocked arteries limit blood flow to the brain, leading to dementia.
SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise and Tips See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medscape. New Hypertension Guidelines: JNC 7. Journal Watch. 2003;2(5). https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/457298
Top What Are the New Blood Pressure Guidelines for Sen Related Articles
artichoke
Artichoke is available over the counter (OTC) as an herbal supplement and is used for medicinal purposes to treat indigestion, lower cholesterol, and to protect the liver. Other uses include appetite loss, and gallbladder problems, high blood fat levels (hyperlipidemia), high blood pressure, hepatitis C, and irritable bowel syndrome. Common side effects of artichoke include gas (flatulence), upset stomach, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. Consult with your doctor before taking artichoke supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.garlic
Garlic is an edible bulb from the plant Allium sativum. Its medicinal properties may inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and slow down the blood clotting process. Garlic may be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood fat levels (hyperlipidemia), preventing coronary artery disease, enhancing circulation, preventing cancer, menstrual disorders, and other infections. Common side effects of garlic include bad breath, body odor, nausea, vomiting, gas (flatulence), heartburn, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, gastrointestinal irritation and burning, bleeding, nasal inflammation (rhinitis), and others.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.
Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
High Blood Pressure & Body
High blood pressure puts you at risk for a number of other conditions. Here's what to look out for.
What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)? Symptoms, Treatments
What causes high blood pressure (hypertension)? What is normal blood pressure? Know the warning signs and symptoms of high blood pressure. Read about high blood pressure medications, diet, and long-term treatments.
HBP Quiz
Take this quiz and test your IQ of high blood pressure (hypertension), the cardiovascular disease that causes most strokes and heart attacks. How are dizziness, snoring, and gout related to HBP? Find the answer and learn how medical treatments and lifestyle adjustments fight this common problem.
Hypertension Picture
High blood pressure, defined as a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. See a picture of Hypertension and learn more about the health topic.
15 Surprising Things That Raise Your Blood Pressure
Salt, worry, and anger aren't the only things that can raise your blood pressure. Risk factors like loneliness and birth control may also affect blood pressure. See what else can bump your numbers up.
Hypertension-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease
Hypertension-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-standing kidney condition that develops over time due to persistent or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension).
Is A Manual Blood Pressure More Accurate?
Manual blood pressure gives accurate results when used correctly by a trained person. However, manual blood pressure measurement is not the recommended type of blood pressure monitoring for home use because it requires some training.labetalol
Labetalol is a medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. The most common side effects of labetalol are fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headache, diarrhea, edema (fluid accumulation), and shortness of breath. Other important side effects include sexual dysfunction, abnormal heart rhythm, slow heart rate, liver failure, and allergic reactions. Consult your doctor before taking if pregnant or breastfeeding.losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar)
Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide is a combination drug of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. Common side effects of losartan/hydrochlorothiazide are nausea, vomiting, back pain, stomach upset, dizziness, and upper respiratory infection. Do not take while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Low Blood Pressure
What is low blood pressure (hypotension)? Explore low blood pressure causes, symptoms, and signs. Discover what is considered low blood pressure.metoprolol
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent drug, which blocks the action of the sympathetic nervous system (a portion of the involuntary nervous system). Metoprolol is prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), heart pain (angina), heart rhythm disorders, and some neurological conditions. Side effects include fever, impotence, sore throat, nausea, depression, insomnia, constipation, memory loss, and high blood pressure.
Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension is most commonly caused by cirrhosis, a disease that results from scarring of the liver. Other causes of portal hypertension include blood clots in the portal vein, blockages of the veins that carry the blood from the liver to the heart, and a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis. Symptoms of portal hypertension include varices (enlarged veins), vomiting blood, blood in the stool, black and tarry stool, ascites (abnormal fluid collection within the peritoneum, the sac that contains the intestines within the abdominal cavity), confusion and lethargy, splenomegaly or enlargement of the spleen, and decreased white blood cell counts.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries that carry blood from the lungs to the heart. The most common symptoms are fatigue and difficulty breathing. If the condition goes undiagnosed, more severe symptoms may occur. As pulmonary hypertension worsens, some people with the condition have difficulty performing any activities that require physical exertion. While there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, it can be managed and treated with medications and supplemental oxygen to increase blood oxygen levels.triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide
Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Maxzide, Dyazide) is a diuretic medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure and edema. Review side effects, drug interactions, and safety during pregnancy information prior to taking this medication.vasopressin
Synthetically produced vasopressin is used to increase the blood pressure in adults who are in a state of severely low blood pressure (hypotension) from vasodilatory shock. Common side effects of vasopressin include hemorrhagic shock, decrease in platelets, intractable bleeding, right heart failure, rapid irregular rhythm of atria (atrial fibrillation), slow heart rate (bradycardia), reduced blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardial ischemia), lower limb ischemia, abdominal (mesenteric) ischemia, ischemic lesions in the skin, increased bilirubin levels, acute kidney insufficiency, low sodium levels (hyponatremia), abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, bronchial constriction, and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
High blood pressure or hypertension is when the blood pressure readings consistently range from 140 or higher for systolic or 90 or higher for diastolic. Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are dangerously high and require immediate medical attention.
What Time of Day Is Blood Pressure Highest?
Your blood pressure follows a pattern, rising a while before you wake up. It is the highest at midday and tends to drop in the evening or late afternoon.Which Blood Pressure Number Is the Most Important?
The blood that flows through the arteries (blood vessels carrying blood from the heart to other parts of the body) exerts pressure against the arterial walls. The number above (120) is called the systolic blood pressure and the number below (80) is called the diastolic blood pressure. Though both readings are important, many doctors believe that systolic blood pressure is a better predictor of complications of hypertension, such as heart disease or stroke.