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Controlling your high blood pressure
Controlling hypertension
Hypertension is another term used to describe high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to:
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Stroke
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
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Heart attack
Heart attack
Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...
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Heart failure
Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...
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Kidney disease
Kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...
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You are more likely to have high blood pressure as you get older. This is because your blood vessels become stiffer as you age. When that happens, your blood pressure goes up.
When is Your Blood Pressure a Concern?
If your blood pressure is high, you need to lower it and keep it under control. Your blood pressure reading has 2 numbers. One or both of these numbers can be too high.
- The top number is called the systolic blood pressure . For most people, this reading is too high if it is 140 or higher.
- The bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure . For most people, this reading is too high if it is 90 or higher.
The above blood pressure numbers are goals that most experts agree on for most people. For people age 60 and above, some doctors recommend a blood pressure goal of 150/90.Your health care provider will consider how these goals apply to you specifically.
Medicines for Blood Pressure
Many medicines can help you control your blood pressure. Your provider will:
- Prescribe the best medicine for you
- Monitor your medicines
- Make changes if needed
Older adults tend to take more medicines and this puts them at greater risk for harmful side effects. One side effect of blood pressure medicine is an increased risk for falls. When treating older adults, blood pressure goals need to be balanced against medicine side effects.
Diet, Exercise, and Other Lifestyle Changes
In addition to taking medicine, you can do many things to help control your blood pressure. Some of these include:
- Limit the amount of sodium (salt) you eat. Aim for less than 1,500 mg per day.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink, no more than 1 drink a day for women and 2 a day for men.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes the recommended amounts of potassium and fiber.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stay at a healthy body weight. Find a weight-loss program, if you need it.
- Exercise regularly. At least 30 minutes a day of moderate aerobic exercise.
- Reduce stress. Try to avoid things that cause you stress, and try meditation or yoga to de-stress.
- If you smoke, quit. Find a program that will help you stop.
Your provider can help you find programs for losing weight, stopping smoking, and exercising. You can also get a referral to a dietitian from your provider. The dietitian can help you plan a diet that is healthy for you.
Checking Your Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure can be measured at many places, including:
- Home
- Your provider's office
- Your local fire station
- Some pharmacies
Your provider may ask you to keep track of your blood pressure at home. Make sure you get a good quality, well-fitting home device . It is best to have one with a cuff for your arm and a digital readout. Practice with your provider to make sure you are taking your blood pressure correctly.
Home device
Your health care provider may ask you to keep track of your blood pressure at home. To do this, you will need to get a home blood pressure monitor. ...
It is normal for your blood pressure to be different at different times of the day.
It is most often higher when you are at work. It drops slightly when you are at home. It is most often lowest when you are sleeping.
It is normal for your blood pressure to increase suddenly when you wake up. For people with very high blood pressure, this is when they are most at risk for heart attack and stroke.
Follow-up
Your provider will give you a physical exam and check your blood pressure often. With your provider, establish a goal for your blood pressure.
If you monitor your blood pressure at home, keep a written record. Bring the results to your clinic visit.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your provider if your blood pressure goes well above your normal range.
Also call if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Severe headache
- Irregular heartbeat or pulse
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Pain or tingling in the neck, jaw, shoulder, or arms
- Numbness or weakness in your body
- Fainting
- Trouble seeing
- Confusion
- Difficulty speaking
- Other side effects that you think might be from your medicine or your blood pressure
References
American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2016 Abridged for Primary Care Providers. Clin Diabetes . 2016;34(1):3-21. PMID: 26807004 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26807004 .
Ettehad D, Emdin CA, Kiran A, et al. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet . 2016;387(10022):957-967. PMID: 26724178 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26724178 .
Gaziano JM, Ridker PM, Libby P. Primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 49.
James PA, Oparil S, Carter BL, et al. 2014 evidence-based guideline for the management of high blood pressure in adults: report from the panel members appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8). JAMA . 2014;311(5):507-520. PMID: 24352797 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24352797 .
Peterson ED, Gaziano JM, Greenland P. Recommendations for treating hypertension: what are the right goals and purposes? JAMA . 2014;311(5):474-476. PMID: 24352710 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24352710 .
Rosendorff C, Lackland DT, Allison M, et al. Treatment of hypertension in patients with coronary artery disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and American Society of Hypertension. Circulation . 2015;131(19):e435-e470. PMID: 25829340 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25829340 .
Weber MA, Schiffrin EL, White WB, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertension in the community: a statement by the American Society of Hypertension and the International Society of Hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) . 2014;16(1):14-26. PMID: 24341872 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24341872 .
Wright JT Jr, Fine LJ, Lackland DT, Ogedegbe G, Dennison Himmelfarb CR. Evidence supporting a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 150 mm Hg in patients aged 60 years or older: the minority view. Ann Intern Med . 2014;160(7):499-503. PMID: 24424788 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24424788 .
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Hypertension overview
Animation
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Cardiac hypertension hypertrophy
Animation
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Heart disease - modifiable risk factor types
Animation
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Taking your blood pressure at home - illustration
After you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may ask you to keep track of your blood pressure by measuring it at home. There are devices that are easy to use and can help you monitor your blood pressure at home. Practice with your doctor or nurse to make sure you are taking your blood pressure correctly. Compare your home machine with the one at your doctor's office to be sure it is reading correctly.
Taking your blood pressure at home
illustration
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Blood pressure check - illustration
To measure blood pressure, your doctor uses an instrument call a sphygmomanometer, which is more often referred to as a blood pressure cuff. The cuff is wrapped around your upper arm and inflated to stop the flow of blood in your artery. As the cuff is slowly deflated, your doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the blood pumping through the artery. These pumping sounds register on a gauge attached to the cuff. The first pumping sound your doctor hears is recorded as the systolic pressure, and the last sound is the diastolic pressure.
Blood pressure check
illustration
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Low sodium diet - illustration
If you have high blood pressure or heart, liver, or kidney problems eating too much salt can be bad for you. Look for these words on labels: low-sodium, sodium-free, no salt added, sodium-reduced, or unsalted. Check all labels for how much salt or sodium foods there is per serving. Also, avoid foods that list salt near the top of the list of ingredients. A product with less than 100 mg of salt per serving is good.
Low sodium diet
illustration
-
Hypertension overview
Animation
-
Cardiac hypertension hypertrophy
Animation
-
Heart disease - modifiable risk factor types
Animation
-
Taking your blood pressure at home - illustration
After you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may ask you to keep track of your blood pressure by measuring it at home. There are devices that are easy to use and can help you monitor your blood pressure at home. Practice with your doctor or nurse to make sure you are taking your blood pressure correctly. Compare your home machine with the one at your doctor's office to be sure it is reading correctly.
Taking your blood pressure at home
illustration
-
Blood pressure check - illustration
To measure blood pressure, your doctor uses an instrument call a sphygmomanometer, which is more often referred to as a blood pressure cuff. The cuff is wrapped around your upper arm and inflated to stop the flow of blood in your artery. As the cuff is slowly deflated, your doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the blood pumping through the artery. These pumping sounds register on a gauge attached to the cuff. The first pumping sound your doctor hears is recorded as the systolic pressure, and the last sound is the diastolic pressure.
Blood pressure check
illustration
-
Low sodium diet - illustration
If you have high blood pressure or heart, liver, or kidney problems eating too much salt can be bad for you. Look for these words on labels: low-sodium, sodium-free, no salt added, sodium-reduced, or unsalted. Check all labels for how much salt or sodium foods there is per serving. Also, avoid foods that list salt near the top of the list of ingredients. A product with less than 100 mg of salt per serving is good.
Low sodium diet
illustration
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Stroke
(In-Depth)
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Diabetes - type 2
(In-Depth)
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Diabetes - type 1
(In-Depth)
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Coronary artery disease
(In-Depth)
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Heart failure
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Heart attack and acute coronary syndrome
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Heart-healthy diet
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Peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication
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Diabetes diet
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Glaucoma
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Review Date: 8/22/2016
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
