When Is Blood Pressure Dangerously High

The Best Emergency Treatment For High Blood Pressure At Home Is Prevention

High blood pressure is common for people in their 60s and 70s. For the most part, high blood pressure comes with no symptoms attached. You may have to limit your morning cups of coffee, but beyond that, you can have high blood pressure and rarely notice it.

The complications of high blood pressure come when your blood pressure raises to dangerous levels, known as a hypertensive crisis. To prepare for this scenario, you should know the warning signs and know when to call 911.

The best at-home treatment for high blood pressure is always preventative treatment. Monitor your levels daily, keep an accessible log of all medications, and stay on top of exercise.

Lastly, install the Snug App on your phone so you can check in daily, ensuring your loved ones that youre looked after. If you miss a check-in, well alert your loved ones for you. That way, they can check up on you in case you need help.

Who Is Affected By High Blood Pressure

Approximately 1 in 3, more than 100 million, American adults have high blood pressure. But only half of those people have their condition under control. Many people develop high blood pressure when they are in their late 30s or early 40s, and it occurs more frequently as people age. However, because of the obesity epidemic, more and more children are also developing high blood pressure.

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SafeBeat Initiative: Understanding The Highs And Lows Of . If your blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels , there is the risk that it will cause damage to the organs. Blood might leak from them. When pressure is dangerously high, your organs won’t get the blood they need to function properly. When your blood pressure is too high, the arteries can become inflamed.

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Does High Blood Pressure Have Any Symptoms

High blood pressure typically doesnt have any warning signs. Thats why its often called the silent killer. Because there may not be any symptoms, many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure.

However, early detection of hypertension is key as it can increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and more.

If your blood pressure is dangerously high, you may have the following symptoms:

• dizziness

But, its important to know about your high blood pressure and the health risks it poses before it gets to this stage.

The only way to know for sure if you have hypertension is to get your blood pressure measured. You can then work with your doctor to find the treatment options that work best for keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range.

The Keys To Blood Pressure Health

A balanced diet, physical activity, and a proactive approach to your health can effectively prevent hypertension. Lets get a bit more specific.

Maintain a healthy weight

Your weight may be the most crucial factor in determining whether or not hypertension becomes a chronic issue. Losing even five to ten pounds can help prevent hypertension.

Eat right and exercise

While this advice may sound a bit monotonous, it is nonetheless accurate: eating a healthy and balanced diet is critical, not only to overall health but blood pressure health.

Get your BP checked

Since doctors visits cost an arm and a leg, if your BP is a concern to you, think about purchasing a blood pressure machine. By comparison, these portable machines are very affordable. Check if your BP is in the range of 120-129/80-89. If your readouts are higher than average, you may want to consult your healthcare provider.

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British Columbia Specific Information

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can damage your blood vessels, heart and kidneys. This damage can cause a heart attack, stroke or other health problems. Your blood pressure reading is based on two measurements called systolic and diastolic. The systolic and diastolic are written as a ratio, for example . A reading of more than 140/90 mmHg taken at your healthcare providers office may indicate high blood pressure. This figure is different for people with diabetes whose blood pressure should be below 130/80 mmHg. People suffering from other illnesses will have different target normal values. For more information on hypertension, visit the Heart & Stroke Foundation and Hypertension Canada.

Healthy lifestyle choices can help lower your blood pressure and improve your health. For information on healthy eating for lowering your blood pressure, see:

Negative Effects Of Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about one out of every three American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Because high blood pressure is so common, it might be tempting to assume that its no big deal. But the truth is, that when left untreated, high blood pressure can put you at risk for potentially life-threatening complications.

Here are eight ways that uncontrolled high blood pressure can negatively affect your health:

It raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure damages the walls of your arteries. This makes them more likely to develop deposits of plaque that harden, narrow or block your arteries. These deposits also can lead to blood clots. Blood clots can flow through your bloodstream and block blood flow to your heart or brain, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

It makes you more likely to develop heart failure. When your arteries are hardened or narrowed, your heart has to work harder to circulate your blood. This increased workload can cause your heart to become larger and fail to supply your organs with blood.

You may experience chest pain. Chest pain, also called angina, occurs when the heart does not get the blood it needs. When people with high blood pressure perform activities such as walking uphill, going up steps, or exercising, angina can cause pressure, squeezing, pain, or a feeling of fullness in the chest.

Blurry vision or other vision problems

Dizziness

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Shortness Of Breath Confusion Headaches And Dizziness Or Blurred Vision

Headaches and dizziness are possible signs that your blood pressure is too high. Another common collection of symptoms include shortness of breath, confusion, or blurred vision.

These signs can easily be mistaken for many other conditions, which makes knowing your blood pressure numbers that much more important.

Living With High Blood Pressure

Controlling your high blood pressure is a lifelong commitment. You will always need to monitor your weight, make healthy food choices, exercise, learn to cope with stress, avoid smoking, and limit your alcohol intake. If you need medicine to control your high blood pressure, you will likely need it all your life.

Additionally, you will need to get used to regular blood pressure checks. Your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly. Or you may be asked to check your blood pressure at home and keep track of your numbers for your doctor. Some pharmacies and retail clinics have blood pressure machines on site. You can buy your own, automated arm blood pressure cuff for use at home. Your doctor may want you to check your blood pressure several times a day. Another option is to use an ambulatory blood pressure monitor.

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Chest Pain Nausea And Vomiting

The signs of having dangerously high pressure can also mirror the symptoms of a heart attack. That includes chest pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Over time uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause coronary arteries to narrow. In the United States, heart disease stands as the top cause of death for men and women of all racial and ethnic groups.

Despite these somber statistics, you have the power to discover and treat high blood pressure simply by monitoring your blood pressure with our team at Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic.

Our providers can guide through making lifestyle modifications, like eating a healthy low salt diet and exercising regularly. That not only enhances your heart health but also your overall wellness.

If you have been experiencing any of these signs of high blood pressure or think you are at risk for developing it, contact Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic. Request an appointment online, or call the office today.

What Is Hypertensive Crisis

There are two kinds of hypertensive crises: Urgent and Emergency.

Once your systolic blood pressure is over 180 and your diastolic blood pressure is over 120, you are in Hypertensive Crisis. For someone with regular hypertension, this may be a short term elevation, so you test again after a few minutes to be sure.

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When To See A Doctor

Although high blood pressure does not usually cause symptoms, anyone experiencing a sudden, severe headache or nosebleed should check their blood pressure.

If their blood pressure is above 180/120 mm Hg, they should stay rested for 5 minutes and recheck their blood pressure. If the blood pressure is still higher than 180/120 mm Hg, they need to seek medical help at their doctors office.

If a person is experiencing severe symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or visual difficulty, they need to call 911 for emergency medical treatment as they may be experiencing a hypertensive crisis.

Medications to reduce blood pressure can cause side effects such as dizziness. If this side effect does not go away or affects a persons daily activities, they should speak with their family doctor.

What Is Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.

Your blood pressure reading uses these two numbers. Usually the systolic number comes before or above the diastolic number. For example, 120/80 means a systolic of 120 and a diastolic of 80.

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Whats Considered High Blood Pressure In Pregnant People

High blood pressure can also occur during pregnancy. According to the , about 8 percent of people develop some form of hypertension while pregnant.

• Normal blood pressure during pregnancy is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.
• Readings higher than 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic are considered high.

There are two main categories of high blood pressure in pregnancy:

• Chronic hypertension. This is when blood pressure is high before you become pregnant or when high blood pressure develops before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. These types of high blood pressure problems are specific to pregnant people and typically develop after 20 weeks of pregnancy. These blood pressure issues typically disappear after you give birth.

Your doctor may prescribe medications if you have high blood pressure during pregnancy.

High Blood Pressure Facts

What every adult should know about high blood pressure, or hypertension

There’s a good reason why every doctor’s appointment starts with a blood pressure check. While one in three American adults has high blood pressure, about 20% of people are unaware that they have it because it is largely symptomless.

In fact, most people find out they have high blood pressure during a routine office visit.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is when that force is too high and begins harming the body. If left untreated, it willl eventually cause damage to the heart and blood vessels.

Your blood pressure is measured in two numbers: The top systolic blood pressure measures the force pushing against artery walls when the heart is contracting. The bottom diastolic blood pressure measures pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats.

Normal blood pressure levels are 120 mmHg/80 mmHg or lower. At risk levels are 120-139 mmHg/80-89 mmHg. Readings of 140 mmHg/90 mmHg or higher are defined as high blood pressure.

Here are six other things you should know about high blood pressure.

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Normal Vs Abnormal Blood Pressure

According to the AHA, a normal blood pressure reading for adults is a top number below 120 combined with a bottom number under 80 noted as 120/80 millimeters of mercury.

However, physicians start to get concerned when the top number heads north. “Blood pressure is considered ‘mildly elevated’ if it’s between 120 and 129 over less than 80,” says Willie E. Lawrence, Jr., MD, chief of cardiology with Midwest Heart & Vascular Specialists, in Kansas City, Missouri. “We define blood pressure greater than 130 over 80 or more as high blood pressure, or hypertension,” he says. “Once it’s above 130, that’s certainly considered high.”

Specifically, the AHA characterizes a blood pressure of 130 to 139 over 80 to 89 as “Stage 1” high blood pressure. Even more risky is “Stage 2,” which is when a reading is between 140 and 180 over 90 to 120.

“Now, where we get particularly concerned is when the top number is found to be greater than 180,” Dr. Lawrence says. “In truth, there are plenty of people who run around living their life with 180 and feel nothing. They may be asymptomatic. They may have no idea that anything is wrong. But unfortunately for them, in many cases, their first indication that something is very wrong ends up being a heart attack, a stroke or congestive heart failure.”

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When Should You Get Help For An Abnormal Blood Pressure Reading

One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. If you take your blood pressure and it is out of the normal range, wait a few minutes and take it again. If its still high or low, use the following guidance.

911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out .

or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your blood pressure is much higher than normal .
• You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms such as:
• Severe headache.

• Your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher on two or more occasions.
• Your blood pressure is usually normal and well controlled, but it goes above the normal range on more than one occasion.
• Your blood pressure is lower than usual and you are dizzy or light-headed.
• You think you may be having side effects from your blood pressure medicine.

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High Blood Pressure In Pregnant Women

High blood pressure can also occur during pregnancy. Readings higher than 140 systolic or 90 diastolic is considered high. Normal blood pressure during pregnancy is less than 120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic. About 8 percent of women develop some form of hypertension while pregnant, says the .

There are two main categories of high blood pressure in pregnancy:

• Chronic hypertension:This is when blood pressure is high before a woman becomes pregnant or when high blood pressure develops before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: These types of high blood pressure problems are specific to pregnant women and typically develop after 20 weeks of pregnancy. These types of problems typically disappear after a woman gives birth.

Your doctor may prescribe medications if you have high blood pressure during pregnancy.

When Is High Blood Pressure An Emergency

The term hypertensive crisis is used to describe a quick and severe rise in blood pressure with measurements over 180/120 which can quickly lead to consequences like stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, loss of vision, or respiratory failure.

Unfortunately, some people have very difficult to control high blood pressures despite medication, so we need to consider what is a normal blood pressure for you as we decide what type of hypertensive crisis you are experiencing.

One type of hypertensive crisis is milder and can be treated conservatively as an outpatient. The other is very serious and requires immediate attention to prevent life-threatening complications.

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What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy

Your blood pressure is an important indicator of your health. If your BP is too high, it can cause you to feel fatigued, jittery, and generally unwell.

Common signs that you have hypertension include tiredness, light-headedness, tightness in your muscles and feet, slow reaction times, and friction burns on the rug in your apartment.

Symptoms of high blood pressure during pregnancy include

• Headaches,
• Sudden weight gain, and puffiness around your face, hands or ankles.

If youre experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Diuretics Get Rid Of Extra Water

Also called water pills, theyre often the first choice if diet and exercise changes arent enough. They help your body shed excess sodium and water to lower blood pressure. That means youll pee more often. Some diuretics may lower the amount of potassium in your body. You might notice more muscle weakness, leg cramps, and fatigue. Others can boost blood sugar in people with diabetes. Erectile dysfunction is a less common side effect.

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Drink Alcohol In Moderation

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and raise the cholesterol levels in your blood.

Sticking to the recommended amounts of alcohol consumption is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.

The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:

• 3 to 4 units of alcohol for men
• 2 to 3 units of alcohol for women.

A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure or spirits.

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