Hypertension
Managing hypertension starts with understanding it. Our resources provide key information about hypertension, its risks, and how to monitor and control it. Discover tips and lifestyle changes to help manage your blood pressure and improve your health
Hypertension
What is hypertension?
Hypertension happens when blood pressure stays at a high level constantly.
Why is it dangerous?
Consistently high blood pressure can notably impair your health, potentially damaging your blood vessels and organs, notably your heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys. It’s essential to understand the stages of hypertension.
What causes hypertension?
Hypertension can arise from several causes, including age, family history, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Blood Pressure + Measurements
What is blood pressure?
Blood Pressure is the force your blood exerts on the arteries when your heart pumps.
How do you measure it?
Blood pressure (BP) measurement is displayed as two numbers. BP readings below 120/80 mmHg* are ideal for heart health and well-being.
Systolic pressure, which is the top number (here, 120), represents the level of arterial pressure when your heart is beating.
Diastolic pressure, the bottom number (here, 80), signifies the pressure when your heart is stopped between beats.
* “mmHg” stands for millimeters of mercury. It’s an old unit of measurement used to express blood pressure. Early blood pressure devices used mercury columns to measure the force of blood against the walls of the arteries.
Stages of Hypertension – Why is it a health problem?
Normal Blood Pressure (Exactly or less than 120/80 mmHg*)
Blood pressure is within a healthy range, allowing the heart and blood vessels to function efficiently. Organs such as the brain, kidneys, and heart experience no additional stress, promoting overall good health and quality of life.
Elevated Blood Pressure (120-129/80 mmHg)
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- Blood pressure is slightly elevated but not yet in the danger zone. While there may be no immediate damage, prolonged pressure at this level places unneeded stress on blood vessels, gradually increasing the risk of heart disease and organ strain.
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Stage 1 Hypertension (130-139/80-90 mmHg)
Blood pressure is consistently elevated, and organs like the heart and kidneys begin to experience strain. If this persists, there’s an increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, or kidney problems in the future.
Stage 2 Hypertension (140/90 mmHg or higher)
Blood pressure is dangerously high, causing significant stress on blood vessels. This can lead to gradual damage to vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and brain, potentially decreasing life quality and increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions.
Hypertensive Crisis (180/120 mmHg or higher)
Blood pressure has reached emergency levels and can cause immediate damage to organs. The risk of heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure is extremely high, and immediate action is required to prevent serious harm.
*As per American Health Association (AHA) standards, low blood pressure is a measurement below 90/60 mmHg.
Normal Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is normal.
The heart pumps blood efficiently, delivering oxygen and nutrients to vital organs like the brain, kidneys, and muscles while minimizing stress on blood vessels.
Doctor’s recommendation: Continue healthy lifestyle habits.
Pre-Hypertension
Blood pressure is slightly elevated but not yet in the hypertension range.
Doctor’s recommendation: Focus on lifestyle changes to prevent progression to hypertension.
Stage 1 Hypertension
Blood pressure measurements consistently fall between 130/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, indicating the initial hypertension stage.
Doctor’s recommendation: Lifestyle changes and medication may be required to lower blood pressure.
Stage 2 Hypertension
Blood pressure measurements consistently fall higher than 140/90 mmHg, indicating a more severe level of hypertension that requires urgent management to prevent damage to vital organs.
Blood pressure is dangerously high, causing significant stress on blood vessels. This can lead to gradual damage to vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and brain, potentially decreasing life quality and increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions.
Doctor’s recommendation: Stronger or multiple medications and lifestyle changes are often necessary to bring blood pressure down to safer levels.
Stage 3 Hypertensive Crisis
Blood pressure measurements consistently fall higher than 140/90 mmHg, indicating a more severe level of hypertension that requires urgent management to prevent damage to vital organs.
Blood pressure is dangerously high, causing significant stress on blood vessels. This can lead to gradual damage to vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and brain, potentially decreasing life quality and increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions.
Doctor’s recommendation: Stronger or multiple medications and lifestyle changes are often necessary to bring blood pressure down to safer levels.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Eat a balanced diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; limit salt and saturated fats.
Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 5 sessions of moderate-intensity activity (like brisk walking) per week.
Manage stress & sleep well: Practice relaxation techniques, get 7-9 hours of sleep, and manage stress through activities like meditation or hobbies.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Improve diet: Reduce salt intake, eat more fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and avoid saturated fats.
Increase physical activity: Go for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (e.g., brisk walking, swimming) weekly. 30 minutes x 5 times weekly.
Reduce stress & maintain sleep: Practice relaxation techniques and ensure good quality and duration of sleep each night to help regulate blood pressure.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Medications: Common prescriptions include thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers to help lower blood pressure.
Diet modifications: Continue reducing salt intake, and choose fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins instead of processed foods.
Regular exercise: 30 minutes x 5 times weekly of moderate physical activity per week is very important. Walking, cycling, or swimming are all suitable activities to help reduce BP.
Regular monitoring of blood pressure: Track improvements and adjust medication as needed.
Lifestyle Changes & Medication
Medications: Common prescriptions include thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers to help lower blood pressure.
Lifestyle modifications: Continue with the same recommendations from Stage 1 Hypertension
Weight loss: For those who are overweight, even a tiny amount of weight loss can significantly impact lowering blood pressure.
Frequent monitoring of blood pressure: home blood pressure monitoring and regular follow-ups with the doctor are key.
Stage 2 hypertension is more serious and can lead to severe complications if not managed properly. Therefore, patients must follow a strict treatment plan and communicate closely with their healthcare provider.
Emergency Treatment and Ongoing Care
Emergency Medications + Hospitalization: Doctors may use intravenous (IV) medications to lower blood pressure rapidly. Hospitalization is very likely. Common drugs include nitroglycerin, labetalol, and sodium nitroprusside.
Complications: Doctors will check for complications such as heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure, which can be caused or worsened by extremely high blood pressure.
Long-Term Management After Crisis:
Refer to lifestyle changes taken to manage Stage 1 and Stage 2 Hypertension
A hypertensive crisis is a life-threatening condition that requires swift and aggressive treatment. After the emergency is resolved, patients need to adhere to a comprehensive care plan, including medication and lifestyle changes, to reduce the risk of another crisis and prevent serious complications like heart attack or stroke.