High blood pressure (HBP) happens when your blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal. The heart is actually straining to pump blood through the arteries.

Blood pressure is normally measured with a blood pressure cuff placed on the arm. The first (higher) number measures systolic pressure - the maximum pressure exerted against the artery walls while the heart is beating. The second (lower) number measures diastolic pressure - the pressure between heartbeats, when the heart is being refilled. The results are then recorded as systolic/diastolic pressure (120/80 mmHg, for example).



Prevention:

- Get stay at a healthy weight.
- Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.
- Limit alcohol to 2 drinks or less a day for males and 1 drink or less a day for females and persons age 65 and older.
- Exercise regularly.
- Learn to handle stress.

Signs and Symptoms:
There are usually no signs or symptoms. Get your blood pressure checked at each office visit, at least every 2 years, or as your doctor advises.

Causes:
There is no known cause for 90% of HBP. When this is the case, it is called primary hypertension. About 10% of persons with HBP get it from another medical disorder or as a side effect of some medicines. This is called secondary hypertension.

Risk factors for primary hypertension:

Family history of HBP
- Aging
- Smoking cigarettes
- Race. African Americans are twice as likely to have HBP as are Caucasians.
- Gender. Men are more likely to have HBP than women.
- Sedentary lifestyle; obesity; sleep apenea
- Emotional distress
- Excess sodium intake in some persons

If left untreated, HBP can lead to a stroke and to heart, kidney, and eye problems.

Treatment and Care:
High blood pressure is one of the easiest health problems to control.

For secondary hypertension, the root cause needs to be found. Once the cause is found and treated, blood pressure usually goes back to normal.

For primary hypertension:

- If you're overweight, lose weight.
- Don't smoke. If you smoke, quit.
- Limit alcohol to 2 drinks or less a day; 1 drink or less if you are female or age 65 or older
- Reduce your intake of salt and foods high in salt. Use salt substitutes if your doctor says it's okay.
- Follow the "DASH" (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. For complete information on the DASH diet, access www.nhlbi.nih.gov. The DASH diet not only reduces blood pressure; it also lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Get regular exercise. Try to do at least 30 minutes a day.
- Learn to handle stress by practicing relaxation techniques and rethinking stressful situations.
- Take any prescribed blood pressure medicine as directed. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects, such as dizziness, faintness, skin rash, or even a dry cough in the absence of a cold. Another medicine can be prescribed. Don't stop taking your prescribed medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
- Talk to your physician or pharmacist before you take antihistamines and decongestants. Also, to avoid harmful drug interactions, discuss combining prescribed and over-the-counter medicines and supplements with your doctor and pharmacist. Do this before you take them. Find out, too, about food and drug interactions. For example, ask if you can drink grapefruit juice with your high blood pressure medicine(s).
- Limit caffeine.
- Don't eat black licorice. It can raise blood pressure by causing your body to retain soduim and lose potassium.
- Monitor your blood pressure using a home testing device recommended by your doctor.

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