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High blood pressure over a long period of time can lead to serious complications such as vision loss, stroke, kidney damage and heart disease. Proper management of high blood pressure can reduce the serious side effects.
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In this article:
- How do we measure blood pressure?
- Signs and Symptoms
- Is menopause a risk factor?
- Teens and young
- Children
- Causes
- How can blood pressure be lowered?
- What is a healthy diet?
- Tips to lower blood pressure
- Diagnosis
- Risks and side effects
- Decongestants
- How much sodium should you eat daily?
- Complications
- Summary
Blood pressure refers to the force that blood exerts on the walls of your arteries as it passes through.
Normally, a person's systolic blood pressure should be less than 120 and their diastolic blood pressure should be less than 80.
Blood pressure is considered high(1) when the top number is between 130 and 139 or the bottom number is between 80 and 89, according to the American Heart Association.
There are ways to manage high blood pressure. The condition often doesn't cause symptoms, but regular screening can help you know if preventive measures are needed.
High blood pressure can have many causes, depending on your health, physical condition or diet.
How do we measure blood pressure?
Doctors measure blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Blood pressure is usually measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer, a manual sphygmomanometer, or an electronic sphygmomanometer.
A blood pressure measurement has two parts: the systolic pressure, which is the top number in a blood pressure reading, and represents the blood pressure when the heart contracts.
The diastolic pressure, which is the bottom number in the measurement and represents the blood pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
If your blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, the systolic pressure is 120 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is 80 mm Hg.
A blood pressure monitor works(2) by stopping the flow of blood, usually to the lower arm, and then allowing it to start again.
If a doctor uses a manual sphygmomanometer with a stethoscope, they won’t hear any sounds until the blood starts flowing.
The first sound they hear is the systolic blood pressure. When the sound goes away again, it’s the diastolic blood pressure.
All blood pressure monitors are accurate and indicate whether or not blood pressure is high.
It is preferable to purchase a home blood pressure monitor if there is any suspicion of high blood pressure or if you are elderly.
Signs and Symptoms
Most people with mild or moderate high blood pressure may not experience any symptoms, which is why people often call high blood pressure the "silent killer" because of its side effects on the arteries, veins, and especially the brain.
But once blood pressure reaches about 180/120 mm Hg, it turns into a hypertensive crisis, which is an emergency that requires action.
In this case, a person may experience the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Palpitations
- Significant shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
Sometimes symptoms differ slightly between men and women due to taking certain medications or hormonal fluctuations.
Symptoms in women
Due to some hormonal factors, we notice the risk of developing high blood pressure, which may differ from men.
Factors that can increase the risk of high blood pressure in women include(3):
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Use of birth control pills
During pregnancy, high blood pressure can indicate preeclampsia, a potentially serious condition that can affect both the pregnant woman and the fetus.
Symptoms of preeclampsia include:
- Abdominal pain
- Vision changes
- Headaches
- Edema
All people, especially pregnant women, should follow screening guidelines and attend all health checkups, to avoid the risks of high blood pressure.
Is menopause a risk factor for high blood pressure?
Health experts disagree about whether menopause causes high blood pressure.
Research shows(4) that men before middle age are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women. Then, at the time of menopause, the opposite is true.
Hormonal changes — particularly the presence of estrogen — may help protect people from high blood pressure.
When menopause occurs, individuals lose this protection, effectively making menopause the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease among women.
However, some suggest that other factors may increase risk at this time, such as increased body mass index, aging, and dietary changes, whether or not hormonal changes also play a role.
Symptoms of high blood pressure in teens and young adults in their 20s
Teens may develop high blood pressure due to obesity or another medical condition.
Possible medical factors include(5):
- Kidney disease
- Endocrine disease
- Neurological condition
- Blood vessel disease
A 2021 study suggests(6) that while cardiovascular death rates have declined among older adults, the decline has been less dramatic among those ages 18 to 39.
This may be due to lower rates of awareness, treatment, and management of high blood pressure among those ages 20 to 39.
Increased awareness and management of high blood pressure in these age groups should help reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems later in life.
Symptoms of high blood pressure in children
Obesity and diabetes can increase the risk of high blood pressure in children.
Other causes that increase the risk include(7):
- Heart problems
- Kidney disorders
- Tumors
- Obstructive sleep apnea in children
- Thyroid problems
- Rheumatic disorders
- Some genetic conditions, such as Cushing syndrome
- Eating a diet high in fat and salt
- Using certain medications
High blood pressure often does not cause symptoms in children.
However, if they do occur, they may include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Cognitive or mental status changes
These symptoms may indicate severe high blood pressure, so increasing attention and anticipation of high blood pressure is important.
Causes of high blood pressure
Certain changes in the body can lead to high blood pressure, or if a person is born with certain genetic characteristics.
It can occur in people with(8):
- Type 2 diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Obesity
- People with a family history of high blood pressure
- Physical inactivity may increase the risk
- Lupus
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Scleroderma
- Thyroid disorders
- Genetic conditions, such as Cushing syndrome, acromegaly, or pheochromocytoma
Sometimes, there is no clear cause. In this case, your doctor will diagnose primary hypertension.
Eating a low-fat diet, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking will help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
How can blood pressure be lowered?
Treatment and blood pressure reduction depend on several factors, including your risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke.
People may need one or more medications in combination with lifestyle changes and blood pressure monitoring.
Traditional medications(9) for high blood pressure include:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the action of certain hormones that regulate blood pressure, such as angiotensin II.
Angiotensin II causes arteries to constrict and blood volume to increase, which increases blood pressure.
Important note: People should not use ACE inhibitors if they are pregnant or have a condition that affects the blood supply to the kidneys.
ACE inhibitors may cause some of the following side effects, which usually go away after a few days of use:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Dry cough
If side effects persist or are too bothersome to control, your doctor may prescribe other treatments.
Calcium channel blockers
Calcium channel blockers work by reducing calcium levels in your blood vessels. This will cause the vascular smooth muscles to relax, causing the arteries to dilate, and blood pressure to decrease.
Some of the following side effects can occur with CCBs, but they usually go away after a few days of use:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Swelling of the ankles and feet
- Fatigue
- Rash
If side effects occur and do not go away after a while, your doctor may choose other medications.
Thiazide diuretics
Thiazide diuretics remove sodium and water from the kidneys, which lowers blood volume and blood pressure.
You may sometimes experience the following side effects from taking them:
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low blood potassium, which can affect heart and kidney function
People who take thiazide diuretics should have regular blood and urine tests.
Beta blockers
These medications slow the rate and force of the heartbeat, causing blood pressure to drop.
Side effects of beta blockers may include:
- Slow heartbeat
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Cold hands and feet
- Sleep disturbances
- Erectile dysfunction
Beta blockers are often the standard medication for someone who is having a severe hypertensive crisis.
Renin inhibitors
Renin inhibitors (aliskiren) work by reducing the production of renin, an enzyme made by the kidneys.
Renin makes a hormone that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
Reducing this hormone causes blood vessels to widen and blood pressure to drop.
Possible side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Cough
- Fatigue
It is essential to follow a proper diet with medications to maintain stable blood pressure.
What is a healthy diet for high blood pressure?
Dietary control is an effective way to prevent and manage high blood pressure.
Reduce salt intake
Doctors recommend reducing salt intake and increasing potassium intake to manage high blood pressure.
Limiting salt intake to less than 5-6 grams (10)per day may improve cardiovascular health and reduce systolic blood pressure.
Plant foods
A nutritious, balanced diet helps to best manage and prevent high blood pressure.
A plant-based diet includes plenty of fruits such as blueberries, vegetables such as okra. Vegetable oils, omega-3s, and high-quality unrefined carbohydrates, such as whole grains, sesame seeds, oats, and reduces fat and avoids processed meats.
Moreover, eating foods rich in vitamin D, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium and calcium plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body.
There are many foods such as moringa, spinach and almonds that help protect the body's cells from the effects of high blood pressure in addition to their role as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-heart disease.
Nutritious fats
Plant-based sources of fat, such as avocados, nuts, olive oil, and omega-3 oils, can provide benefits.
People should limit their intake of saturated fats and trans fats, which are common in processed foods and come from animals.
Alcohol and smoking
People who regularly drink more than moderate amounts of alcohol and smoke will almost always have high blood pressure.
One study(11) in women suggests that drinking some alcohol may help lower blood pressure.
However, others have reported(12) the opposite, suggesting that drinking a moderate amount may increase blood pressure.
Caffeine
Studies on the relationship between caffeine and blood pressure have shown conflicting results.
One report published in 2017 suggests(13) that moderate coffee consumption appears to be safe for people with high blood pressure.
Tips to lower blood pressure
Many people suffer from high blood pressure, but a management application supports this reduction and helps to better follow daily life.
Recommendations for people with high blood pressure include the following:
Home remedies
Daily lifestyle plays an important role, as the American Heart Association recommends(14) a set of lifestyle modifications that can help lower blood pressure, such as:
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Reduce alcohol and energy drinks
- Exercising
- Managing and avoiding stress
Any planned lifestyle changes should be discussed with a healthcare professional before starting.
Regular exercise
Exercising daily (10 minutes) helps balance blood pressure.
The American Heart Association indicates that most healthy people should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, divided into days.
Running or walking may be the most desirable and easy types of exercise that support the heart and balance blood pressure.
Meditation, yoga, and tai chi may be good natural practices to balance blood pressure.
Weight loss
Many studies show(15) that losing at least 5-10 pounds of weight can help lower blood pressure and improve the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.
Ways to achieve and maintain a healthy weight include regular exercise and a diet that focuses on plant foods.
A person should also limit their intake of added sugars and fats
Sleep
Not only can more sleep cure high blood pressure, but lack of sleep and poor sleep quality can make it worse.
A 2015 study showed(16) that people who got less than 5 hours of sleep a night were more likely to have high blood pressure.
Diagnosis of high blood pressure
A person usually needs more than one reading to confirm the diagnosis, regardless of whether the blood pressure monitor is digital or manual, as various factors can affect the result, including:
- After smoking
- According to the time of day
- Feeling anxious or stressed
- After eating
- After drinking alcohol
However, the doctor may perform some additional tests, such as:
- Exercise stress test
- Urine and blood tests
- Electrocardiogram
The doctor may order an immediate procedure in the case of severe high blood pressure.
What are the risks and side effects of high blood pressure?
Blood nourishes all the cells in the body to maintain life and all body functions.
But high blood pressure for a long time and repeatedly has severe and dangerous effects, including(17):
- High blood pressure causes the arteries to harden and become blocked
- Blockage in the arteries can lead to stroke and serious danger
- Blockage reduces blood flow to the heart, increasing the risk of angina, heart failure, or heart attack
- High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and chronic kidney disease
See a cardiologist when you feel high blood pressure to avoid these potentially life-threatening effects.
Can decongestants be taken by people with high blood pressure?
Decongestants can be an effective over-the-counter treatment when people have a stuffy or runny nose, but some can raise blood pressure, so be careful.
Ingredients(18) that can have a blood pressure-raising effect include:
- Pseudoephedrine
- Oxymetazoline
- Phenylephrine
A person should explain to the pharmacist that they have high blood pressure to get the right medication.
How much sodium should you eat daily?
Salt is an important nutrient for the human body, preserving food, and even changing the taste.
But too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which is a problem for people with high blood pressure.
Therefore, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends(19) that people limit their salt intake to no more than 2,300 mg per day, and preferably to 1,500 mg.
On average, people around the world currently consume more than 3,400 mg of sodium per day. Moreover, the natural sodium content in vegetables is enough to meet the body’s needs for most people.
However, avoiding salty foods and eating less processed and ready-made foods are suitable ways to reduce your salt intake and maintain healthy blood pressure and heart.
What are the complications of high blood pressure?
The effects of high blood pressure on the blood vessels and heart are serious.
Without treatment or measures to manage blood pressure, excessive pressure on the artery walls can damage the blood vessels, a form of cardiovascular disease. It can also damage organs in the body.
Potential complications(20) of high blood pressure on organs include:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease
- Aortic aneurysm
- Vascular dementia
- Kidney stones and disease
Early treatment and management of blood pressure can help relieve and prevent many health complications that can be serious and life-threatening.
Summary
High blood pressure is a potentially serious condition that often has no symptoms but can lead to heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening conditions.
For most people, a normal, healthy blood pressure is between 120 and 80 mm Hg.
When blood pressure is high, people should see a doctor because many factors can affect blood pressure and heart health.
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