What To Do If You Suspect A Hypertensive Crisis
If you suspect that you or someone else is experiencing a hypertensive crisis, these are the steps that should be taken:
What Is Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension is high blood pressure in the portal venous system. This is the system comprising veins from various organs in the digestive system, including the stomach, pancreas, spleen, and small intestine. These blood vessels come together as the portal vein, which brings blood to the liver. The blood vessels branch into smaller ones, and portal hypertension occurs if the flow of these vessels is blocked, which can happen as the result of liver damage.
Buying A Blood Pressure Instrument To Measure Your Blood Pressure At Home
Blood pressure instruments can be purchased in most pharmacies. Buy a blood pressure instrument that has been approved by the Association for the Advancement in Medical Instrumentation , the British Hypertension Society or the International Protocol . These labels will be marked clearly on the box. If you are unsure whether an instrument is approved, ask your pharmacist for help. Once you have bought the instrument, ask your doctor or pharmacist to check it to make sure the instrument measures your blood pressure accurately.
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Diagnosing High Blood Pressure
The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Ask your GP when you are next due for yours to be checked.
Before having your blood pressure taken, you should rest for at least five minutes and empty your bladder. To get an accurate blood pressure reading, you should be sitting down and not talking when the reading is taken.
Having one high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure can change throughout the day. Feeling anxious or stressed when you visit your GP can raise your blood pressure .
Therefore, your GP will need to take several readings over a set period of time, usually every month, to see whether your blood pressure level is consistently high.
Blood and urine tests may also be carried out in order to check for conditions that are known to cause an increase in blood pressure, such as kidney infections.
You may also be given a blood pressure device to take home so that you can record your blood pressure level throughout the day. This also helps to identify white coat syndrome and therefore helps to identify the best treatment options for you.
What Is Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension, or pulmonary arterial hypertension, is high blood pressure in the artery that carries blood from your heart to your lungs to get oxygen to transport to the rest of the body. Normal blood pressure in this artery while you are at rest is 8 to 20 mm Hg. You have pulmonary hypertension if your measurement is at least 25 mm Hg while you are at rest, or at least 30 mm Hg while you are exercising.
Similar to primary hypertension, pulmonary hypertension can happen when the arteries tighten or become stiff, or if blood clots form in the area. It can be caused by genes or lifestyle. You are at higher risk if you use street drugs or live at a high altitude.
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What Does A Blood Pressure Reading Of 160/100 Mean
Readings between 160/110 and 160/100 indicate Stage 2 Hypertension. Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of greater or equal to 140 and/or a diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90. In other words, the force of the blood pressure in your arteries is higher than normal.
Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range indicates the need to adjust your blood pressure medications.
Blood pressure readings in this range put you at higher risk for life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke. Its important to your health to lower your blood pressure through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to chronic damage of arteries and organs. Untreated, this can result in enlargement of the heart, heart failure and kidney damage, which may require dialysis.
Unfortunately, many dont have any symptoms even with very high blood pressure. So it remains important to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypertension
Q: If left untreated, does hypertension get worse?
A: Its hard to say. Researchers are starting to see that kids and adolescents with pre-hypertension are more likely to develop stage 1 hypertension, but we dont know if or when stage 1 hypertension will progress to stage 2.
Q: Can hypertension be cured?
A: In some cases, secondary hypertension can be fixed. For example, if:
- its caused by a narrowing in a blood vessel that the doctors are able to widen
- its caused by a rare endocrine tumor that doctors are able to treat successfully
There are also cases in which hypertension might be transient for example, if its caused by a temporary inflammation of the filters in the kidney.
Even when hypertension cant be fixed, it can almost always be well-controlled, with diet and exercise and/or medication.
Q: If my child is being treated for hypertension, what should I watch out for?
A: Keep an eye out for:
- chest pains
- severe headaches that dont seem to respond to at-home treatment
- changes in vision
- swelling of hands and feet
- shortness of breath with limited exertion
- changes in her urine
Q: Will my child need to go on medication?
A: Only a fraction of kids with hypertension require medication. Frequently, its treated with diet and exercise modification first. And if the child is overweight, every kilogram of weight she loses, her blood pressure could bring her blood pressure down by about a point.
Q: Will my child have hypertension as an adult?
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Choosing A Blood Pressure Monitor
If you’re planning to take your blood pressure at home, it’s important to have a reliable blood pressure monitor. The AHA recommends an automatic, cuff-style, bicep monitor, but there are other options.
When selecting a blood pressure monitor, consider the following:
- Fit: To ensure a proper fit, measure around your upper arm and choose a monitor that comes with the correct size cuff.
- Number of people: If more than one person will be using the monitor, make sure to choose one that fits everyone.
- Features: Some blood pressure monitors offer extra tech features, like Bluetooth and app connectivity. If you don’t think you’ll benefit from these extras, go ahead and choose one that is efficient, easy to use, and more affordable.
- Budget: High-quality blood pressure monitors vary dramatically in price, from around $25 to well over $100. Keep in mind that a good monitor is a great investment and that you will be using it daily for several years.
- Other considerations: The AHA notes that when selecting a blood pressure monitor for a senior, pregnant person, or child, you should make sure it is validated for these conditions.
If you need help selecting an at-home device, check out these blood pressure monitors, which were vetted by the Verywell team based on the above criteria.
Risk Factors For Hypertension
There are a number of factors that can put you at a greater risk for developing hypertension.
If you are aware of these risk factors and understand how they can affect you, you may be less likely to develop high blood pressure or know you can help control it.
- Family History: If you have a close blood relative with HBP, you are at a greater risk of developing it yourself.
- Age: The older you get, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with HBP.
- Gender: Males are more likely to develop HBP before the age of 65. Women tend to develop hypertension over the age of 65.
- Race: More than 4 in 10 African-Americans suffer from high blood pressure. Hypertension in these individuals usually occurs earlier in life and is much more severe.
- Diabetes: More than 3 in 4 people with Diabetes are also diagnosed with Hypertension.
- Lifestyle: The choices you make can decrease your risk of developing hypertension. These factors include diet, exercise, being overweight and the use of alcohol and tobacco. The good news is that, unlike the others, these risk factors can be changed.
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Primary High Blood Pressure
While the specific cause of primary high blood pressure remains unknown, there is compelling evidence to suggest that a number of risk factors increase your chances of developing the condition.
These risk factors include:
- age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
- a family history of high blood pressure – the condition seems to run in families
- being of Afro-Caribbean or South Asian origin
- high-fat diet
- high amount of salt in your diet
- lack of exercise
- excessive alcohol consumption
- stress
A number of health conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, have also been linked to an increase risk of developing primary high blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Reading Of 160/60 Should He Be Concerned
Asked by fly fifer
Blood Pressure Reading Of 160/60 Should He Be Concerned?
The last two readings of my husband’s blood pressure are 160/60 and I wonder if we should be concerned about this. His pulse rate is also very low which is normal for him.
He is 63yrs of age and relatively fit. Should we be concerned about it.? Some ten years ago he was found to be very hypertensive but was controlled through medication but seems over the years it is getting lower and lower.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Regards,
Yes, I recommend consulting his physician to determine an appropriate treatment plan.
The Joint National Committee defines four blood pressure categories.
Very High Range – Stage 2 HypertensionSystolic blood pressure 160 mm Hg or highDiastolic blood pressure 100 mm Hg or higherIf in this range you have hypertension .
High Range – Stage 1 HypertensionSystolic blood pressure 140 – 159 mm HgDiastolic blood pressure 90 – 99 mm HgIf in this range you have hypertension .
Caution Range – PrehypertensionSystolic blood pressure 120 – 139 mm HgDiastolic blood pressure 80 – 89 mm HgTake action!
Systolic blood pressure below 120 mm HgDiastolic blood pressure below 80 mm HgPerfect!
A systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg falls within Stage 2 Hypertension even though the diastolic blood pressure is within normal.
All the best,
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Symptoms Of Pulmonary Hypertension
Early signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension can be related to the trouble you have getting blood to your lungs to get oxygenated. You might experience shortness of breath and a fast heart beat while doing activities that are otherwise routine, such as climbing stairs. You might also have chest pain, a reduced appetite, and pain in your chest or upper right portion of your abdomen.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension symptoms can develop into light-headedness and fainting. Your lips and skin might have a bluish tinge because of the lack of adequate oxygenation of your blood.
Signs And Symptoms Of Hypertension
Often, kids and teens with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension wont show any symptoms at all. If your child has stage 2 hypertension, she might experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- headaches
- abdominal pain
- breathing problems
An infant with stage 2 hypertension may seem irritable, not be feeding properly, or vomiting. Sometimes these infants are diagnosed with failure to thrive.
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What Is Malignant Hypertension
Malignant hypertension is arare but serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when your blood pressure suddenly rises to at least 180/120. If this condition is not treated immediately, it can lead to serious organ damage, such as the following.
-
Kidney failure
-
Heart attack
-
Blindness
Hypertension is a risk factor for malignant hypertension, and skipping hypertension medications raises your risk. However, malignant hypertension occurs in fewer than 1 out of 100 people with hypertension. Kidney disease, sclerodoma, spinal cord injuries, and certain drugs or medications can cause it. You are also at higher risk if you are male, African American, or of lower socioeconomic status with less access to healthcare.
What You Should Know About A Blood Pressure Of 150/100
What is hypertension stage two? Blood pressure guidelines exist to define hypertension within stages. These stages, which were created by The American Heart Association and The American College of Cardiology, are like a roadmap to help guide and tailor decisions in the treatment process for hypertension. Understanding the specifics of your blood pressure stage is critical to successfully controlling readings over the long-term.
Stage two hypertension blood pressure is systolic blood pressure 140-180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 90-120.
Normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings are considered under 120/80 mmHg. The next stage is elevated blood pressure, which is 120-129 systolic mmHg and diastolic pressure remaining less than 80 mmHg. High blood pressure starts at hypertension stage one, which is a systolic reading of 130-139 mmHg or a diastolic reading of 80-89 mmHg. Hypertension stage two is progressive hypertension, and its the last stop before the hypertensive crisis stage of having blood pressures over 180/120 mmHg.
Its important to remember that the above stages are all distinguished through consistent, reliable blood pressure measurements. In other words, your blood pressure should be taken at least twice on two separate occasions via a trustworthy measurement tool before a classification of hypertension stage two is made.
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Secondary High Blood Pressure
Some cases of high blood pressure are the result of underlying factors or cause and this is known as secondary high blood pressure.
Underlying factors include:
- kidney conditions, such as a kidney infection, or kidney disease
- narrowing of the arteries
- hormonal conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome
- conditions that affect the bodys tissue, such as lupus
- medication, such as the oral contraceptive pill, or the type of painkillers that are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen
- recreational drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystal meth
Occasionally, a rise in blood pressure can result from taking herbal remedies, such as herbal supplements.
Target Your High Blood Pressure
Once you have been diagnosed with hypertension, remember that high blood pressure can be lowered. For most people, blood pressure readings should be lower than 140/90 mmHg when measured in the doctors office. At home, your blood pressure should generally be below 135/85 mmHg. For those people with diabetes or kidney disease, lower blood pressure is even more important and should be below 130/80 mmHg when measured in the doctors office.
Most people who lead healthy lifestyles do not suffer from high blood pressure. For those with hypertension, following the steps outlined above will lower their blood pressure.
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If Your Blood Pressure Is 160/100 And Have A Bad Headache Should You Go To The Emergency Room
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Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure symptoms typically include:
- Headache usually, this will last for several days.
- Nausea a sensation of unease and discomfort in the stomach with an urge to vomit.
- Vomiting less common than just nausea.
- Dizziness Lightheadedness, unsteadiness, and vertigo.
- Blurred or double vision .
- Epistaxis nosebleeds.
- Palpitations disagreeable sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart.
- Dyspnea breathlessness, shortness of breath.
Anybody who experiences these symptoms should see their doctor immediately.
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What Can Help Bring Down Blood Pressure Quickly
Medications and lifestyle changes typically take time to gain results in lowering blood pressure readings. However, there are some strategic decisions people can make to help get their blood pressure down quicker and more efficiently, including:
- Use potassium rich foods, such as bananas, as a natural way to excrete sodium and lower blood pressure.
- Eat garlic. It increases the body’s production of NO NO helps the hearts smooth muscles relax and dilates blood vessels to lessen the pressure of pumped blood.
- Manage stress. Try yoga or meditation. Studies show that something as simple as regular exposure to green space can reduce stress, blood pressure measurements, and the risk for cardiovascular disease.
- Pick foods low on the glycemic index. Managing blood glucose levels has been shown to correspond with lower blood pressure measurements.
- Enjoy the blood vessel-relaxing flavonoids in dark chocolate.
- Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil aid in blood pressure control.
- Natural vasodilators, such as cayenne pepper, turmeric, and ginger, have an immediate influence on the blood pressure.
What Is Orthostatic Hypertension
Orthostatic hypertension is a rare condition of increased blood pressure when you stand up. It is a rare condition that is defined by an increase of at least 20 mm Hg when going from a laying position to standing. It is most related to essential hypertension and diabetes.
Orthostatic hypotension, or sudden low blood pressure upon standing up, is far more common than orthostatic hypertension. It is also called postural hypotension, and can cause dizziness, confusion, and weakness.
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