Heart Your Family's Guide to Understanding the Heart

Hypertension

A medical condition where ones blood pressure is chronically high is called hypertension or what is also commonly known as high blood pressure. Acquiring hypertension is a serious condition that may then lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, as well as other health related problems.

Generally, diagnosing hypertension is based on the persistence of high blood pressure. The diagnosis will usually require three separate measurements, which are at least taken one week apart. In exceptional cases though, if the elevation is very extreme, or end organ is already damaged then the diagnosis may be applied and treatment should be administered immediately.

As hypertension generally does not manifest any symptoms, having a regular blood pressure monitor is important and to be able to obtain a reliable blood pressure measurements following several rules and understanding the many factors that influence blood pressure reading is very important.

For instance, if measurements to be taken in control of hypertension it should be at least one hour after caffeine, 30 minutes after smoking or strenuous exercise and without any stress.

When taking measurements, the bladder should encircle and cover two-thirds of the length of the (upper) arm. The patient should be sitting upright in a chair and with both feet flat on the floor for a minimum of five minutes before taking a reading. The patient should also not be on any adrenergic stimulants, such as those found in many cold medications.

A systolic pressure is the pressure reading at the onset of the sounds described by Korotkoff (Phase one), while a diastolic pressure is then recorded as the pressure at which the sounds disappear (K5) or sometimes the K4 point, where the sound is abruptly muffled.

Two measurements should be made which are at least five minutes apart, and, if a discrepancy of more than 5 mmHg occurs, a third reading should be made. The readings gathered should then be averaged. The initial measurement should be made with both arms. For elderly patients who particularly when treated may show orthostatic hypotension, measuring BP while in lying sitting and standing position may be useful.

By: Jhayknee

Hypertension Recommended Resources:

Colorado State University

University of Washington Academic Medical Center

Mary Campbell 14.04.09 at 00:06am

Does hypertension or high blood pressure affect one's behavior?

Susan Holmes 14.04.09 at 00:59am

Yes, at some point, people with high blood pressure easily gets irritated and mad. They also loose their focus.

Nancy Rogers 19.09.09 at 13:45pm

My blood pressure increases at night while I am asleep. I awake during the night, taking a reading and it is higher than in the day time. Why is this?

sharif 01.10.09 at 14:52pm

My high blood pressure is under control now and i am trying hard to keep it that way. I take HCTZ 25mg and I excersize and on dash diet. Plus I use resperate sometimes when I want to relax.
I saw an ad on webmd.com regarding this new drug called "Levodyn" supposedly a natural remedy for high blood pressure with no side effect. Do you have any info on that " Levodyn Drug"? Just curious.
Thanks

Sue 09.10.09 at 10:20am

Is there foods i should aviod ? Also foods that help lower your blood pressure?

Cindy McKee 10.10.09 at 17:12pm

Does drinking a couple beers, and a few highballs a night affect high blood pressure? My husband will not believe me when I tell him he is harming himself.

Gena 30.10.09 at 14:36pm

My friends eight year old has a kidney condition and has had it since birth. Now she has hypertension that is causing horrible head aches, inlarged heart and body pain and nausia. My question is did the kidney disease cause the hypertension? This sweet little girl is suffering so much...they can't seem to get the blood pressure under control. HELP!!!

akmal 08.11.09 at 02:33am

Is there foods i should aviod ? Also foods that help lower your blood pressure?Are dates good or bad for hypertension?

Trish 14.11.09 at 21:05pm

What causes hypertension? My husband and I can be talking and he starts taking everything the wrong way like he isn't hearing me. And I keep going because I am just thinking he is mad at me. And of course he blames me for him getting out of hand he gets so mad and he starts doing things. Or he will start yelling at me and put me down. I am just trying to talk to him like we suppose to but he starts blowing everything out of context. I just don't understand.

He does snore, and he moves around alot when he is sleeping also his mind never stops either he is always thinking about something. But he keeps blaming me for his temper.

I need help.

Thank you in advance in reading my letter. Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Trish

Kelly Fassett 17.11.09 at 11:32am

Is there a charge?z

Suzanne Still 23.11.09 at 13:05pm

I have high blood pressure. Until recently there has been a big difference between the top and bottom nymbers. I had a renal angiogram lawt week becasue doctor tghought he heard a renal bruitt, but there was no obstruction. The doctors seem to centering on my kidneys rather than my heart. Why?

Barbara 05.12.09 at 15:34pm

My husband has been on blood pressure medication for about 35 years now. Lately his top pressure has been ranging from 140-170 over 64-74. He is 67 years old and a big boned person at 6' 4". Ever since he's been in his 20's the top number has ranged that way. Right now he's on verapamil 240 mg and diovan 360 mg plus metoprolol 50 mg for his BP and Zetia 10mg for his cholesterol which his numbers have been good for the last two years. His doctor keeps trying to get that top number down which from everything I've read about bp is not bad for a tall big-boned individual. A few RN's we know who have worked trauma centers say that they have never seen anyone come into the ER with bottom numbers like that having heart trouble or strokes. It seems they experience it only when the top and bottom numbers are both high.
The only thing the doctors seem to accomplish trying to get the bottom numbe down is making him feel like a zombie with no ambition and little or no sex drive which is very important to him.

Kathy 18.01.10 at 17:40pm

I only take my blood pressure medicine when my blood pressure is up because if I take it everyday then it runs too low it only goes up about once a month but it usally very high when does go up like 170/105 why is this. I have been told that I have RAS but it has not been stinted

MARI 19.01.10 at 06:14am

I have many medical issues and have been hospitalized 2years ago for Grand mal seizure, Rabdomyalosis, renal failure, High heart enzymes, Brain Lesion...blah blah blah recenly my blood pressure in the hospital admitted was 178/156 high heart enzymes supposed renal failure..my heart tests were ok..so I checked out called my neuro & he told me to go back to the hospital my blood pressure was then 55/40 for two days and they gave me potassium (HAHA SALT!) and released me. I have been hospitalized for my heart since I am in my 30's and after nitro etc. and 2 weeks at rest I am okay although I can't walk a couple stairs w/out shortness of breath..I have had every diagnosis possible.
SO..My Question is what would cause my shortness of breath & severe high &low B.P. not overweight, non-smoker!!! ANY IDEAS I am so frustrated?

MARI 19.01.10 at 06:18am

Wendy 25.02.10 at 13:32pm

I have recently starting having high blood pressure readings (I have never had issues with B/P before), I have also been experiencing bouts of dizziness with nausea? Could high B/P cause vertigo?? I have recently (a week ago) been put on Benicar which has helped somewhat and the last B/P reading was 110/87. Bottom number still a little on the high side. What causes high B/P? I'm 42, not overweight, I exercise 2 to 3 times a week, I quit smoking 4 mos. ago, am I really don't like a lot of salt. What am I doing wrong?

vererly 11.03.10 at 12:59pm

I've taken meds for blood pressure for 25yrs, diagnosed
with IGA in 2008. Todays pressure is 177 over 111
haven't taken any meds in 6 weeks because I'am tired of taking with no results. This week can't go to work no focus slight headach fearful and confused

mike spriggs 26.03.10 at 14:27pm

Cindy McKee wrote:
Does drinking a couple beers, and a few highballs a night affect high blood pressure? My husband will not believe me when I tell him he is harming himself.

mike spriggs 26.03.10 at 14:30pm

Cindy McKee wrote:
Does drinking a couple beers, and a few highballs a night affect high blood pressure? My husband will not believe me when I tell him he is harming himself.

Renee 05.04.10 at 22:07pm

Is there any connection between high blood pressure and vertigo, dizziness and nausea. Recently had a reading of 160/84, lowest number 140/88

shelly 13.04.10 at 18:43pm

i have had high blood pressure for several years and have been on 2 types of medicine which has helped somewhat until about 8mo ago. now its stays pretty much on the high side and the edema is getting very bad ive also noticed more pain in the legs especially the left 1 and i have also developed a rash on this leg should ibe concerned with this or can someone tell me what this is?

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Nedra Lee 02.08.10 at 11:55am

I have been told I may have hypertention valve,Why can this not be fixed by surgery.Will nothing make it better?

LaRayne 07.08.10 at 09:50am

My husbands diastolic number has been running 90-95 the last couple of days. He is on BP meds. Is this something to worry about? The top # is good. Thank you in advance

mary ann 29.08.10 at 13:26pm

I would like to know if lemon jc. helps to lower the blood pressure, and if so how andwhy.

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