High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is commonly referred to as the "silent killer," since a third of people affected do not even know they have it. Over time high blood pressure can damage blood vessel walls, allowing the build up of fatty plaque, which can eventually block arteries. High blood pressure also strains the heart and can eventually weaken it. There are usually no symptoms with high blood pressure, making it very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.AHA: High Blood Pressure

While many people with severely high blood pressure may exhibit no signs or symptoms, some people with early-phase high blood pressure may experience dizzy spells, headaches and nosebleeds.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=symptoms Some of the known symptions of very severe high blood pressure include nausea, vomiting, visual problems and pulsating headaches behind the eyes in the early mornings.http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/tc/high-blood-pressure-hypertension-symptoms

If left untreated, high blood pressure may cause damage in vital organs, such as the eyes, kidneys and the heart. Retinopathy, renal or kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, angina or chest pain, cardiac arrest or heart attack, heart failure, arterial disease and strokes are some of the end results of untreated high blood pressure. http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/tc/high-blood-pressure-hypertension-symptoms

Diagnosis of high blood pressure is normally done by a doctor with a sphygmomanometer. Before making a diagnoses of high blood pressure, the doctor will take at least 2 blood pressure readings on separate days. Because some patients have white-coat hypertension (psychologically-induced blood pressure changes during visits to the doctor), doctors may ask patients to check their blood pressure at home or in the workplace for a more accurate diagnosis. Urinalysis, blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG) are additional tests used for patients with any type of high blood pressure.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

The 2003 guidelines of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, categorize blood pressure readings into four groups:

• Normal blood pressure: below 120/80 mm Hg
• Prehypertension: 120 to 139 mm Hg Systolic, or 80 to 89 mm Hg Diastolic
• Stage 1 Hypertension: 140 to 159 mm Hg Systolic, or 90 to 99 mm Hg Diastolic
• Stage 2 hypertension: 160 mm Hg or above Systolic, or 100 mm Hg or above Diastolichttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

Patients diagnosed with hypertension will be advised to make lifestyle changes, including increasing exercise, eating a healthy diet, and quitting smoking, if applicable.

Medical treatment is normally applied for patients with blood pressure readings 20/100 mm Hg higher than normal. Diuretics are the "first line of defense" medical treatment. The following are the other medical options:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Beta-blockers
• Calcium channel blockers

A hypertensive patient on drug therapy should visit their doctor at least once a month until the medical goal is reached. Annually or biannually, blood tests are used to check if the drug therapy is not compromising the general health of the patient.http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertension-treatment-overview

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have fibromyalgia, please consult with your doctor.