Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) - Blood pressure that stays at or above 130/80 mmHg, silently straining the heart, brain and kidneys.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension means the pressure of blood against artery walls is persistently high. Blood pressure has two numbers: systolic (when the heart beats) and diastolic (when it rests). A normal reading is below 120/80 mmHg. Under American Heart Association categories, 130-139/80-89 is stage 1 and 140/90 or higher is stage 2; many other countries, following WHO, diagnose hypertension at 140/90. It is called the silent killer because it often causes no symptoms while damaging organs over time.
Causes and Risk Factors
- High salt intake
- Excess weight and inactivity
- Alcohol and smoking
- Family history and older age
- Kidney disease, thyroid or hormone problems (secondary causes)
- Some medicines such as NSAIDs and decongestants
Signs and Symptoms
- Usually none
- Very high readings may cause headache, nosebleed or blurred vision
- Most people only find out from a check
Red Flags: When to See a Doctor Urgently
- Reading above 180/120 with chest pain, breathlessness, weakness, confusion or vision loss - call emergency services
- Sudden severe headache
- Stroke signs: face drooping, arm weakness, speech trouble
Diagnosis: Tests, Lab and Imaging
Diagnosis needs repeated readings on different days, ideally confirmed by home or 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. Doctors also check kidney function, urine, blood sugar, cholesterol and often an ECG to look for organ damage.
Treatment and Medicines
Lifestyle changes come first: less salt (under 5 g per day per WHO), weight loss, regular activity, limiting alcohol and quitting smoking. Medicines include ACE inhibitors, ARBs such as losartan, calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, and thiazide-type diuretics. Many people need two medicines. Do not stop treatment without advice.
Emergency
If you notice any red-flag sign, call 1122 (Pakistan), 911 (USA), 999 (UK) or 112 (Europe), or go to the nearest emergency department. See our emergency first aid guide.
Complications
Stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, eye damage and dementia.
Prevention
- Check blood pressure at least yearly after age 18
- Eat more vegetables and fruit, less processed food
- Stay active most days
- Limit alcohol, avoid tobacco
- Manage stress and sleep
Outlook and Follow-up
Well-controlled blood pressure sharply reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. Treatment is usually lifelong, with home monitoring and regular reviews.
Patient Education
Write down your questions before appointments, bring a list of all medicines, and ask what results mean for you. Use our symptom checker to learn which departments relate to your symptoms. This Hypertension guide is educational and reviewed against WHO, CDC and NIH sources by the ghkh.site editorial team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal blood pressure?
Below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal for adults.
Can I stop medicine when my readings are normal?
Normal readings usually mean the medicine is working. Stopping can make pressure rise again; always discuss changes with your doctor.
Does coffee raise blood pressure?
Caffeine can raise it briefly. Avoid caffeine and exercise for 30 minutes before measuring.
Sources
We summarise these sources in our own words. Mention of an organisation does not imply endorsement.
Recommended Home Health Tools
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, ghkh.site earns from qualifying purchases. This does not change the price you pay or our editorial choices. Links go to Amazon.com search results; we do not list prices or ratings because they change often. Devices support home monitoring and do not replace a doctor.