What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
- High blood pressure is when your blood pressure is regularly higher than the ideal level or higher than the level recommended by your doctor.
- It needs to be diagnosed by a healthcare professional.
- The clinical term for high blood pressure is hypertension.
- A single high blood pressure reading doesn’t necessarily mean you have hypertension.
- You have hypertension if your blood pressure stays high for three separate readings, on three separate occasions, over at least three months.
- Sometimes people’s blood pressure goes up because they’re worried about having it taken by the nurse or doctor.
- If this is a problem, the doctor may get you to do blood pressure readings at home or order a 24-hour monitor to help confirm you have high blood pressure.
What Is “Normal” Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure reading is written like this: 120/80. It’s read as “120 over 80.” It is measured in mmHg, which is a unit that doctors use to describe pressure. This is like how you use inches to describe length.
The top number of the reading is called the systolic pressure, and the bottom number is called the diastolic pressure. The systolic number measures your blood pressure at the exact moment your heart beats. Meanwhile, the diastolic number measures your blood pressure between each heartbeat.
The ranges are:
- Normal: Less than 120 mmHg/less than 80 mmHg
- Elevated: 120-129 mmHg/less than 80 mmHg
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139 mmHg/80-89 mmHg
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 mmHg or higher/90 mmHg or higher
- Hypertensive crisis: 180 mmHg or higher/120 mmHg or higher — See a doctor right away
If even one of the numbers is in the hypertension range, you have it. For example, someone with a blood pressure of 133/79 has stage 1 hypertension.
If your blood pressure is above the normal range, talk to your doctor about how to lower it. Call 911 if you’re having a hypertensive crisis.
What causes high blood pressure?
For most people, there isn’t a single cause of high blood pressure. However, there are some risk factors that make high blood pressure more likely. Some risk factors for high blood pressure you can manage. These include:
- Processed foods and salt: Many processed foods include a lot of salt which can contribute to high blood pressure.
- Alcohol: Any amount or type of alcohol increases your risk of high blood pressure. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk.
- Weight: Being overweight increases your risk of having high blood pressure. Even losing just a few kilograms can lower your blood pressure.
- Not moving enough: Moving more and sitting less will lower your blood pressure.
- Stress: The hormones released in your body when you’re stressed increase your blood pressure. Researchers are still trying to understand the exact link between long-term high blood pressure and ongoing stress.
- Sleep apnoea: Having obstructive sleep apnoea increases your risk of high blood pressure. Your doctor will advise you on how to best manage this condition.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
Most of the time, there are no symptoms. For most people, high blood pressure is found when they visit their provider or have it checked elsewhere.
Because there are no symptoms, people can develop heart disease and kidney problems without knowing they have high blood pressure.
Malignant hypertension is a dangerous form of very high blood pressure. Symptoms may include:
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Vision changes
- Nosebleeds
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure Effectively
There are many healthy habits that can help lower your blood pressure. You can try:
- Eating a healthy, low-salt diet
- Getting plenty of exercise
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcoholic drinks
- Losing weight (if you are not at a healthy weight)
Some people might also need medication to control their blood pressure. Ask your doctor if medication might be right for you.
