What Is Hypertension?

What is hypertension? Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is an average blood pressure reading of more than 140/90. Over time, the strain hypertension places on the heart and blood vessels can increase the risk of serious health problems, such as kidney damage, heart disease, and stroke. The first step in treating hypertension involves lifestyle changes; some people with hypertension may also require medication.

 

What Is Hypertension? -- An Introduction

Blood pressure is the amount of force (pressure) that blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels as it passes through them. As blood is pumped from your heart into your blood vessels, enough pressure is created to send it to all other parts of your body.
 
If your blood pressure is too high, you have what's known as hypertension (also commonly referred to as high blood pressure).
 

Measuring Blood Pressure

To determine whether or not you have hypertension, it's necessary to measure your blood pressure.
 This is commonly done by using a device with which you are probably familiar. When taking a blood pressure reading, your healthcare provider wraps a cuff (usually made of fabric) around your arm and then slightly inflates it. The blood pressure numbers are measured by a gauge attached to the cuff. Your healthcare provider reads the numbers from the gauge as air is released from the cuff. This device used to measure blood pressure is called a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure can also be measured with a blood pressure machine.
 
The two numbers that measure your blood pressure are written like a fraction: one number on top and one on the bottom. For example, what many people consider "normal" blood pressure is written as 120/80. The number on top refers to the systolic pressure. It measures the pressure inside your blood vessels at the moment your heart beats. The number on the bottom represents your diastolic pressure. It measures the pressure in your blood vessels between heartbeats, when your heart is resting.
 

What Is Hypertension? -- Diagnosis

Hypertension can only be diagnosed after taking several readings to find your average blood pressure. To find your average blood pressure, your blood pressure needs to be taken two or more times and each reading must be from a different day. If the average of these blood pressure readings is more than 140/90, you have hypertension.
 
A single reading of more than 140/90 doesn't necessarily mean that you have hypertension. But your doctor will probably want to monitor your blood pressure over a period of time to see if it stays there. You can also have hypertension if the average of only one of the numbers (systolic or diastolic) is too high (see Isolated Systolic Hypertension).
 

What Is Hypertension? -- Associated Health Risks

Hypertension does not cause problems over days, weeks, or months; rather, hypertension causes problems over many years, and it can affect your entire body. By adding strain to the blood vessel walls, hypertension makes them more likely to develop a buildup of fat and cholesterol -- also known as "hardening" of the arteries. This, in turn, puts extra strain on your heart as it pumps blood through the narrowed arteries.
 
Over time, the strain hypertension causes on the heart and blood vessels can increase the risk of serious health problems, such as:
 

What Is Hypertension? -- Treatment Options

Hypertension can be controlled through a combination of lifestyle changes and, in many cases, hypertension medications. Together, these can help lower blood pressure in many people and get them closer to a normal blood pressure.
 
Lifestyle changes are often the first step in hypertension treatment. In addition to helping control hypertension, lifestyle changes often improve the quality of a person's life. As you make changes to your lifestyle, it may take three to six months before your healthcare provider sees the full benefit these changes may have on your condition. Some of these changes may include:
 
  • Exercising
  • Losing weight
  • Changing your diet
  • Drinking less alcohol
  • Reducing salt intake.
     
In addition to lifestyle changes, there are many medications available to control hypertension. Each works in a slightly different way. Everyone reacts differently to medicine, so you may need to try a few different types before your healthcare provider finds the best medicine for you. If your doctor has prescribed pills for you, it's important to take them exactly as directed.
 

Is Hypertension Common?

Hypertension is more common than most people guess. Consider the following facts about hypertension:
 
  • More than 65 million American adults -- nearly 1 in 3 -- have hypertension
  • Nearly 60 million Americans are over age 55, which means they have a 90 percent likelihood of developing hypertension in their lifetimes
  • African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension than any other racial or ethnic group and tend to develop it earlier and more severely than others
  • At least 18 million Americans have diabetes, which increases their chances of developing hypertension
  • Approximately 122 million American adults are overweight or obese, which puts them at higher risk of developing hypertension.
      

What Is Hypertension? -- Looking Ahead

Many people do not experience any symptoms of hypertension or related discomfort, so they find it easy to ignore their condition. This significantly increases their chances of developing kidney disease, a heart attack, a stroke, or other heart and blood vessel problems. Getting hypertension under control may add years to a person's life.
 
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD