Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is when your blood pressure is too high and stays high over time. Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood through vessels, called arteries, to the rest of your body. Your blood pressure is how hard your blood pushes against the walls of the arteries. Read more English | Spanish.
Approximately 1 in 3 adults in the United States have high blood pressure. Only half (54%) of this population have their high blood pressure under control. Certain physical traits and lifestyle choices such as family history, unhealthy diet, smoking and lack of physical activity put you at greater risk for high blood pressure.
Hypertension Symptoms
High blood pressure is named as the "silent killer" because most of the time, it has no obvious symptoms. Some people experience symptoms like headache, chest pain, shortness of breath or changes in vision related to high blood pressure. It is important to talk to your doctor about any of these symptoms.
Watch a short video about high blood pressure English | Spanish.
Understanding the Numbers
The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. For most people, a healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. Contact your doctor if your blood pressure numbers are regularly above 140/90 mmHg. Learn how to understand your blood pressure numbers English | Spanish.
Complications
Untreated and uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels of your organs, including eyes, kidneys, heart and brain. If you have high blood pressure, you are at greater risk for blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and heart attack. Some of the warning signs of a heart attack include chest pain, jaw, neck or back pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness and nausea or vomiting. Heart attack symptoms may differ for women compared to men. Learn here about how symptoms of a heart attack may look different for women.
Similarly, symptoms of a stroke require medical attention immediately. Look out for the signs of stroke listed below and call 9-1-1 for help or visit the nearest emergency room if you experience any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
How to Manage High Blood Pressure
With proper treatment and management, you can control your blood pressure to help you live a long and healthy life. Follow these small steps to take control of your blood pressure English | Spanish.
Follow these guidelines to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range:
- See your doctor at least twice a year to get your blood pressure and lab work checked.
- Make healthy food choices, such as eating more vegetables, limit salty foods and eat lean proteins such as fish and chicken.
- Learn about your stress and your health English | Spanish.
- Learn about physical activity and your health English |Spanish.
- Learn about sleep and your health English | Spanish.
- Learn about alcohol and your health English | Spanish.
It is recommended to check your blood pressure at home regularly. Write your blood pressure numbers in a book and share them with your doctor at each visit. Learn how to check your blood pressure at home correctly English | Spanish.
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Hypertension Care Companion
Care Companion is an interactive care plan available through MyChart to provide education and tracking tools to help manage your high blood pressure. If you are interested in this program, please contact your Parkland primary care doctor for more information.