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Monitoring blood pressure
Monitoring blood pressure
Untreated hypertension
Untreated hypertension
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes
DASH diet
DASH diet
High blood pressure tests
High blood pressure tests
Exercise can lower blood pressure
Exercise can lower blood pressure
Blood pressure check
Blood pressure check

Blood pressure - high
Definition:
Hypertension is increased or elevated blood pressure, either intermittent or sustained, exceeding 140/90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).
Alternative Names:
HBP; High blood pressure
Considerations:

About 1 in every 5 adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure occurs more often in men than in women, and in African Americans almost twice as often as in Caucasians.

Hypertension can affect all types of people. Most people feel no symptoms with uncomplicated high blood pressure. Essential hypertension (hypertension with no known cause) is not fully understood, but accounts for about 90% of all hypertension cases in people over 45 years of age.

Even though many high blood pressure cases do not have a known cause, the condition can still be treated effectively with both lifestyle modification and medications.

Lifestyle modification includes the following: following a low sodium diet, exercise, smoking cessation, weight loss, and avoidance of excessive alcohol intake. There are dozens of different medications available for the management of high blood pressure.
Common Causes:


Home Care:
Unless the blood pressure reading is above 145/90 mmHg, hypertension drugs may not be prescribed by the health care provider. However, new guidelines target ideal blood pressure as 130/85 or less, and even lower in patients with renal disease -- with a goal blood pressure of 125/75 or less.

For high blood pressure caused by essential hypertension, a proper diet, weight loss, exercise, and salt and alcohol reduction are often recommended. If these measures do not work, talk to your health care provider about taking medication to lower blood pressure.

For high blood pressure caused by medication, consult with your health care provider about changing or discontinuing drugs. DO NOT CHANGE YOUR MEDICATION WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
Call your health care provider if:
  • There is unexplained and persistent high blood pressure. Blood pressure should be monitored routinely for adults over the age of 40, or those who have risk factors such as obesity, smoking, drinking, or a family history of hypertension.


What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting high blood pressure in detail may include:
  • Time pattern
    • Has the blood pressure increased recently?
    • Did it suddenly become high?
  • Quality
    • What is the blood pressure?
    • When the blood pressure is measured on multiple occasions, what is the average systolic and diastolic BP (the lower number)?
    • How much has the blood pressure gone up within the past two weeks?
    • What is the blood pressure now?
    • What was the previous blood pressure?
  • Other
    • What other symptoms are present?
The physical examination will include checking the blood pressure as well as a thorough general examination. The blood pressure may need to be monitored several times over a period of weeks or months.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to high blood pressure to your personal medical record.
Review Date: 1/15/2002
Reviewed By: Debbie Cohen, M.D., Renal and Electrolyte Division, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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