High blood pressure is a chronic disease characterized by blood pressure levels persistently above 140 x 90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), as measured in a doctor’s office, in adults. In most cases, high blood pressure does not cause symptoms, but some people may experience headache, vision changes or dizziness.
Hypertension usually does not have a specific cause, being more common in case of salt-rich and sedentary feeding. However, in some cases it can happen due to kidney or blood vessel diseases, for example.
In case of suspected high blood pressure, it is recommended to consult the cardiologist, who may recommend a reduction in the amount of salt in the diet, weight loss, physical activity and the use of drugs to control blood pressure.
The main symptoms
The main symptoms of high blood pressure are:
- Inus and vomiting;
- Dizziness and/or loss of balance;
- Headache;
- sleepiness or confusion of mind;
- blurred vision;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Tingling in parts of the body.
However, high blood pressure is a silent disease and usually does not cause any symptoms except in the most severe cases, such as in hypertensive crises. For this reason, it is common to have high blood pressure for several years before the diagnosis is made.
Also read: 12 major symptoms of high blood pressure
The best way to identify high blood pressure is to take regular blood pressure measurements at home, to check when it is above 130 x 80 mmHg. In addition, it is recommended to do check-ups 2 to 3 times a year with the general practitioner or family doctor, for example.
Learn more about high blood pressure in the following video with Dr. Ronaldo Gismondi:
How to confirm the diagnosis
Pressure is considered high when the blood pressure measured in the office by the doctor is equal to or greater than 140 x 90 mmHg. However, the diagnosis of hypertension is confirmed by the cardiologist or general practitioner by measuring the pressure in 2 or more consultations, with interval of days or weeks.
If you want to make an appointment, you can find the doctor closest to you using the tool below:
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It is important that the measurements are made by a health professional, since it is necessary to know how to correctly measure blood pressure to avoid errors in the evaluation of results. See how to measure blood pressure correctly.
Some doctors may also ask the person to take some measurements at home or in the pharmacy to rule out the hypothesis that blood pressure is increased in the office due to white coat syndrome.
In the suspicion of hypertension, the doctor may also indicate tests, such as urine and blood tests, and electrocardiogram, to evaluate the functioning of organs, such as the heart and kidneys, and identify the possible cause of high blood pressure.
Online blood pressure calculator
To know if your blood pressure is high, please enter the data in our calculator:
This calculator is only a guiding tool and therefore should not be used as a diagnosis or replace the consultation with the cardiologist.
How to understand the blood pressure value
To understand the value of blood pressure, you need to know the two values:
- Systolic pressure: is usually the highest value of the measurement (e.g. 135 mmHg) and represents the pressure that is made in the arteries when the heart beats.
- Diastolic pressure is the lowest value (e.g. 65 mmHg) and represents the pressure on the walls of the arteries between each heartbeat.
According to the measure and doctor’s office, blood pressure in adults is classified as:
The higher the stage of hypertension, the greater the risk of serious complications. People with borderline pressure and stage 1 hypertension may be able to regulate pressure only with some lifestyle changes, while people with stage 2 and 3 hypertension usually need to make use of prescription drugs.
What Causes High Pressure
High blood pressure always arises that there is some change that causes difficulty for the blood to circulate in the blood vessels, increasing the effort that the heart needs to make for the blood to circulate correctly.
However, depending on the type of hypertension, there are different causes:
1. Primary hypertension
Primary hypertension is one that arises over time without being related to any health problem or use of some type of substance or medicine and, therefore, the cause is more difficult to identify.
This is the most common type of high blood pressure and is more common in case of:
- Genetic predisposition, being more common in people with a history of high blood pressure in the family;
- High intake of sodium, which is present in table salt and in seasonings or processed foods, for example;
- Overweight and obesity;
- excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Lack of physical activity, which is important to maintain proper heart function and to regulate blood pressure.
In addition, high blood pressure is also more common in older people due to the decreased elasticity of blood vessels that happens naturally with aging.
Read also: High blood pressure in the elderly: symptoms, such as identifying, causes and treatment
2.Secondary hypertension
Secondary hypertension is rare and can be caused by:
- renal diseases such as diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis and polycystic kidney disease;
- Estilements of vessels, especially the aorta and renal arteries;
- Hormonal changes due to hyperthyroidism and Cushing syndrome, for example;
- Use of some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids;
- Obstructive sleep apnea, causing high blood pressure especially during the night.
Especially in case of secondary hypertension, the identification of its cause is important to indicate the most appropriate treatment to control high blood pressure.
When it’s normal to have high blood pressure
Having high blood pressure at times does not always indicate that you have hypertension. It is normal for blood pressure to increase a little during physical exercise, when you feel pain, drink coffee or live a stressful situation, for example, being expected to return to normal shortly after.
Therefore, if high blood pressure is frequent and/or happens without an apparent cause, it is important to consult a doctor to check if it can be hypertension. Understand what hypertension is.
However, if the pressure is too high and/or symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath arise, it is recommended to seek an emergency for evaluation.
Read also: What to do when the pressure is high
How to do the treatment
Treatment for hypertension varies depending on its type. In the case of secondary hypertension it is very important to identify the cause and initiate a targeted treatment for the disease or problem that is at the origin of high blood pressure.
For primary hypertension, treatment is usually done with lifestyle changes and use of antihypertensive drugs, such as captopril and carvedilol, to control blood pressure.
Also read: 5 Tips for Controlling High Blood Pressure
The main treatment options for high blood pressure include:
1. Remedies for high pressure
Medicines for high blood pressure are usually indicated by the doctor when it is not possible to control blood pressure only with changes in habits, such as improving diet and exercising regularly.
The most commonly used high-pressure medicines include:
- Diuretics, such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide or spironolactone;
- Inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACEs), such as captopril, enalapril or ramipril;
- Angiotensin receptor antagonists, such as losartan, valsartan or telmisartana;
- Beta blockers, such as propranolol, atenolol or carvedilol;
- calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, nifedipine or nicardipine;
- Vasodilators, such as minoxidil or hydrazine.
These medicines can be used alone or in combination, but should always be used along with changes in habits to ensure a better effect on blood pressure. Know the main remedies for high blood pressure.
2. Diet for High Pressure
Diet for hypertension is one of the most important changes to help lower blood pressure. It is important to eat a healthy diet, varied and low in salt, sugar and foods with lots of fat. Learn what the high blood diet should look like.
Thus, it is important to give preference to fruits, vegetables, cereals and lean proteins, such as white meats and fish, for example.
Read also: 14 foods that lower high blood pressure (hypertension)
3. Regular exercise practice
In case of high blood pressure it is recommended to perform regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week. The most targeted exercises to maintain vascular health are aerobics, such as running, walking, cycling or swimming, for example. Check out other natural ways to lower high blood pressure.
4. Natural remedies for high pressure
To complement the treatment guided by the doctor there are also some natural remedies that help regulate blood pressure. Some examples are garlic tea, olive leaf tea and valerian tea. See the main teas for high blood pressure and how to prepare.
These remedies should always be used with the knowledge of the doctor and under the guidance of a naturopath.
Also read: 15 Home Remedies for High Pressure (which work!)
Hypertension during pregnancy
Hypertension is a condition that can also happen during pregnancy, and that must be well controlled to avoid the emergence of complications that endanger the life of the pregnant woman or the baby.
One complication that can arise with increased blood pressure during this phase is preeclampsia, which is characterized by a steady increase in blood pressure and injuries in different organs of the body, especially kidneys, lungs and liver, in addition to increasing the risk of prematurity and miscarriage.
When a woman suspect high blood pressure in pregnancy should consult the obstetrician and initiate appropriate treatment, which usually includes the use of medications and changes in diet in order to avoid all complications.
Also read: High blood pressure in pregnancy: symptoms, causes, risks and treatment
Possible complications of hypertension
The main complications of hypertension are:
1. Heart disease
High blood pressure causes the heart to try harder to be able to send blood to the entire body. When this happens for several years in a row, problems such as heart failure, arrhythmia and angina pectoris can arise.
In addition, people with uncontrolled hypertension also have a higher risk of developing aortic aneurysms and even heart attack.
2. Brain changes
Due to the increase in blood pressure within the vessels of the brain can arise various lesions at the brain level, which can cause changes such as memory problems, difficulty learning and even difficulty speaking.
In addition, high blood pressure can also cause ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke. Understand the difference between the types of stroke.
3. Renal problems
Increased blood pressure can also cause damage to the fragile blood vessels of the kidneys, increasing the risk of developing kidney failure.
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure
Some measures that may lower the risk of high blood pressure include:
- Eat a healthy, balanced and low-salt diet;
- Avoid excess body weight;
- Perform regular exercise, 3 to 5 times a week;
- Avoid the exaggerated consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Avoid smoking or quitting.
It is also important to do regular blood pressure monitoring at least 2 to 3 times a year, as well as do annual check-ups at the doctor in order to identify conditions that may increase the risk of high blood pressure.
Watch the video with more tips to lower your high blood pressure:
