Handling Hypertension
How will I know if I have hypertension?
Consult your doctor. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. If blood pressure is more than 140/90 mm/Hg on at least 3 occasions, you have hypertension.
My BP is 160/86 and I don’t feel anything. When should I follow up?
It is recommended that within the month, follow-up with the doctor to monitor and discuss the BP readings and the need to treat. In hypertension, it is risky to just rely on what we feel.
You’ve had your BP taken. Is it normal?
Check blood pressure regularly. Discuss with your doctor.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a measure of the push of blood against the wall of arteries. A BP reading has two numbers.
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) measures the pressure on the wall as the heart pumps. The normal SBP is 120 mm Hg or below.
Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measures the pressure on the wall as the heart relaxes for blood filling. The normal DBP is 80 mm Hg or below.
I’m 42 and my blood pressure reading is 150/100. Is that possible? I do not feel anything. Do I really have hypertension?
BP readings higher than 140/90 mm Hg on 3 different occasions indicate hypertension or high blood pressure. (JNC 7)
Blood pressure is normal if the systolic BP (SBP) is less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) less than 80 mm Hg. SBP of 120-129 over 80 is considered elevated already. (ACC/AHA).
Majority of patients with hypertension do not have symptoms and many people go undiagnosed.
Hypertension can be a silent killer, so it is important for everybody to know their blood pressure reading. Hypertension is a global public health issue.
Sometimes hypertension causes…
headache, dizziness, nose bleeds, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitation
However these symptoms do not always signify hypertension and cannot be relied upon in diagnosing hypertension. Consult your doctor for the early detection and control of hypertension.
HOW DID I DEVELOP HYPERTENSION?
There are behavioral risk factors for the development of hypertension.
SHOULD I REALLY CHECK WITH A DOCTOR IF I HAVE HYPERTENSION?
It is dangerous to ignore hypertension. In hypertension, the heart has to work harder in order to pump and circulate blood.
Persistent high blood pressure (>120/80 mm/Hg) may lead to…
Maintaining BP below 120/80 mm/Hg lowers these risks significantly.
Essential hypertension. These are the many cases of hypertension with no known cause. Risk of becoming hypertensive (BP> 140/ 90 mm Hg) during a lifetime exceeds by 90%. Consult your doctor for the early detection and control of hypertension.
What is your initial BP reading? When do you need to have this rechecked, confirmed or evaluated?
It is best to consult your doctor.
My BP is 160/86, and I don’t feel anything when should I follow-up?
There are specific advice when to follow-up and re-check BP reading based on the initial result: either in 2 years, 1 year, in 2 months, within 1 month, or immediate evaluation.
Consult your doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Relying on symptoms is risky.