People with high blood pressure, or hypertension, have a systolic pressure of 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or college, or a diastolic pressure of fourscore mm Hg or higher.

The American Centre Association (AHA) state that normal claret pressure readings take a systolic pressure below 120 mm Hg and a diastolic force per unit area below 80 mm Hg.

Loftier blood pressure level often does not cause whatsoever noticeable symptoms. However, it can pb to serious health complications, such as heart disease and stroke.

In this commodity, we outline the distinction between normal and high blood force per unit area readings and describe the factors that tin crusade or contribute to high claret pressure level. We as well provide information on how to care for high blood pressure.

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A person with loftier blood force per unit area will often take no noticeable symptoms.

Claret force per unit area readings indicate the forcefulness with which the centre pumps claret around the torso. These readings take into business relationship two different types of claret pressure: systolic and diastolic.

Systolic pressure measures the caste of blood pressure within the arteries as the middle contracts. Diastolic pressure level measures the caste of blood pressure inside the arteries equally the center rests between contractions.

Blood pressure monitors display the systolic pressure higher up the diastolic pressure. For case, the monitor may brandish the reading 120/lxxx mm Hg, indicating a systolic pressure of 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg.

A healthcare provider will assign a person's blood pressure reading to 1 of the post-obit five categories (all measurements are in mm Hg):

  • Normal: A systolic pressure below 120 with a diastolic force per unit area below lxxx.
  • Elevated: A systolic pressure of between 120 and 129 with a diastolic pressure below 80.
  • High claret pressure (hypertension stage ane): A systolic pressure of between 130 and 139, or a diastolic pressure betwixt eighty and 89.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension stage 2): A systolic pressure level of 140 or higher, or a diastolic pressure level of 90 or higher.
  • Hypertensive crisis: A systolic pressure greater than 180, a diastolic pressure greater than 120, or both. A person who is experiencing a hypertensive crisis should consult their medico immediately.

According to the British Heart Foundation, a claret pressure reading of 90/60 mm Hg or lower indicates low claret pressure.

High blood pressure tends to affect certain groups of people more than others. Some examples include those below.

Males

According to a 2015 review, males below the historic period of 65 are more likely to experience hypertension than females belonging to the aforementioned age grouping.

Older adults

Age is an unavoidable hazard factor for developing high blood pressure. Co-ordinate to the National Constitute on Aging, a blood pressure reading of 130/fourscore mm Hg or higher would betoken high blood pressure in an older developed.

Isolated systolic hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that results from age-related stiffening of the arteries. It causes a systolic pressure of 130 mm Hg or higher alongside a diastolic force per unit area below 80 mm Hg. Doctors care for this type of hypertension in the aforementioned fashion that they care for regular hypertension.

People who have overweight

Body weight tin play a part in the development of loftier claret pressure. Co-ordinate to the AHA, a person with overweight can decrease their blood pressure by losing as piffling as v or 10 pounds.

For people who have overweight or obesity, losing weight also helps reduce the hazard of certain health weather, including:

  • diabetes
  • center disease
  • stroke

Pregnant women

Women can develop high blood pressure level during pregnancy. Likewise, individuals with a history of high claret pressure can proceed to feel this throughout their pregnancy.

According to the National Library of Medicine, three types of loftier blood force per unit area can affect women during pregnancy. They are:

  • Chronic hypertension: High blood pressure that adult either earlier the pregnancy or before the 20th week of the pregnancy.
  • Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure level that begins afterwards the 20th calendar week of pregnancy. This type is not ordinarily unsafe to the woman or the fetus. Women who develop gestational hypertension usually notice that their blood pressure returns to normal within 12 weeks of giving birth.
  • Preeclampsia: A rapid rise in blood pressure that is almost common during the tertiary trimester of pregnancy. Preeclampsia can impairment the kidneys and liver, and information technology can exist life threatening to both the woman and the fetus.

Women should monitor their blood pressure regularly when pregnant. They should talk to their doc if their claret pressure readings begin to rise or they feel any of the following symptoms of preeclampsia:

  • severe headaches
  • visual disturbances, such as blurred vision or seeing flashing lights
  • hurting below the ribs
  • severe heartburn
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • a sudden increment in swelling of the confront, hands, ankles, or feet
  • excessive weight gain due to fluid retention
  • feeling very unwell

A person who has high blood force per unit area volition need to take steps to manage it. These steps will include taking regular blood pressure level measurements at dwelling.

A person may also demand to make sure lifestyle changes, such as:

  • quitting smoking
  • limiting alcohol intake
  • managing stress levels
  • achieving or maintaining a moderate weight through nutrition and exercise
  • eating a healthful, balanced diet that is low in salt

In addition to making lifestyle changes, a person may need to take medication to help manage their blood pressure. According to the CDC, blood pressure level medications work past doing at least 1 of the following:

  • reducing the amount of salt and h2o in the body
  • relaxing the claret vessels
  • blocking nerve activity that can restrict the blood vessels
  • reducing the strength of the heartbeat

In some cases, information technology may be necessary to take more than than 1 type of blood force per unit area medication. A person should take the appropriate dose of each medication at the aforementioned time each day to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment.

Anyone whose habitation blood pressure readings remain high or brainstorm to drag again should speak to their doctor. The doc may need to adjust the dosage of the medication or prescribe an alternative.

A person who has high claret pressure may non feel symptoms until they develop a related wellness complication.

The AHA recommend that a person contact their physician if they take a reading of 180/120 mm Hg or higher twice within 5 minutes. Their doc will probable recommend adjusting the dosage of a current medication or adding a new 1.

If symptoms of a hypertensive emergency accompany a high blood pressure level reading, a person should phone call 911 or go to their nearest emergency room immediately. Symptoms of a hypertensive emergency include:

  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • back pain
  • weakness or numbness
  • difficulty speaking
  • vision changes

Women who are pregnant should seek medical advice if they feel symptoms of loftier blood force per unit area during their pregnancy.

In most cases, a person can bring their high blood pressure under control with the appropriate lifestyle changes and medical treatments.

Successful management of loftier blood pressure level will lower a person'south risk of health complications, such as stroke, middle disease, and blazon two diabetes.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition. It typically does not cause symptoms until a person develops complications, such equally a heart attack or stroke.

A person who has high blood force per unit area may need to make lifestyle changes and have medications to bring their blood pressure nether command.

People should talk to their md if the steps that they are taking to lower their blood pressure are not working. Anyone who develops symptoms of a hypertensive emergency should seek emergency medical treatment.