High Blood Pressure: Quick Summary
Causes, symptoms, risks, treatment & prevention
Medical Name
Hypertension
What Is It?
A condition in which blood pressure remains higher than the recommended range over time
Symptoms
Often has no noticeable symptoms; severe hypertension may cause headache, vision changes or other symptoms
Common Causes & Risk Factors
Age, family history, excess weight, high-salt diet, inactivity, smoking, alcohol and certain medical conditions
Health Risks
Can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other cardiovascular complications
Diagnosis
Based on repeated blood pressure measurements and, when needed, home or ambulatory monitoring
Treatment
Lifestyle changes and, when indicated, medicines such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, CCBs, diuretics and beta-blockers
Lifestyle Management
Reduce salt intake, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Regular monitoring can help determine whether lifestyle measures and treatment are controlling blood pressure
Medicines
Take prescribed blood-pressure medicines regularly and do not stop them without medical advice
Prevention
Healthy eating, physical activity, weight management and regular blood pressure checks can reduce risk
Important
High blood pressure can exist without symptoms, so regular measurement is important even when you feel well
⚠️ Important:
High blood pressure often does not cause obvious symptoms. Regular blood pressure checks are important because untreated hypertension can gradually damage the heart, brain, kidneys and blood vessels.
High blood pressure often does not cause obvious symptoms. Regular blood pressure checks are important because untreated hypertension can gradually damage the heart, brain, kidneys and blood vessels.
🚨 Seek Urgent Medical Attention:
If blood pressure is extremely high and is accompanied by chest pain, severe shortness of breath, weakness or numbness, confusion, difficulty speaking or significant vision changes, seek emergency medical care.
If blood pressure is extremely high and is accompanied by chest pain, severe shortness of breath, weakness or numbness, confusion, difficulty speaking or significant vision changes, seek emergency medical care.
💊 Medication Warning:
Do not start, stop or change blood-pressure medicines on your own. Treatment should be selected according to blood pressure readings, other health conditions and individual risk factors.
Do not start, stop or change blood-pressure medicines on your own. Treatment should be selected according to blood pressure readings, other health conditions and individual risk factors.