High Blood Pressure

“Having high blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, so knowing your blood pressure could save your life”.1

Umbrella
What may the High Blood Pressure Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Essential Hypertension
  • High Blood Pressure (HBP)
  • Hypertension
  • Idiopathic Hypertension
  • Primary Hypertension

Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure (BP)?

DotS the definition of BP may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:

“Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body.

Your blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day”.2

High Blood Pressure

What is high blood pressure (HBP)?

DotS the definition of HBP may vary. The British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“High blood pressure is medically known as hypertension. It means your blood pressure is consistently too high and means that your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body”.3

Blood Pressure Numbers

What do BP numbers mean?

In High Blood Pressure: High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes – What Do Blood Pressure Numbers Mean? the CDC explain:

“Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.

The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

If the measurement reads 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, you would say, “120 over 80,” or write, “120/80 mmHg””.4

Healthy Blood Pressure

What is a healthy BP?

In High Blood Pressure the (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) explain:

“For most adults, a healthy blood pressure is usually less than 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury, which is written as your systolic pressure reading over your diastolic pressure reading—120/80 mm Hg”.5

Hypertension

What is hypertension?

DotS the definition of hypertension may vary. In Hypertension the World Health Organization’s definition is:

“Hypertension, also known as high or raised blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure”.6

Signs and Symptoms

What are signs and symptoms of HBP?

In High Blood Pressure: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications the NHLBI elaborate on:

“It is important to have regular blood pressure readings taken and to know your numbers, because high blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms until it has caused serious problems”.7

Silent Killer

Why can HBP be called a “silent killer”?

In High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) the (United States) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explain:

“High blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because many people have it but don’t know it. Over time, people who do not get treated for high blood pressure can get very sick or even die”.8

Cause

What causes HBP?

In High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): What Causes High Blood Pressure? the BHF note:

“There isn’t always an explanation for the cause of high blood pressure, but most people develop high blood pressure because of their diet, lifestyle or medical condition.

Sometimes high blood pressure runs in families and can also worsen with age. People living in deprived areas are at higher risk of having high blood pressure, and it is also more common if you are of black African or black Caribbean descent. Even in these cases, you may still be able to improve your blood pressure by changing your diet and being active”.9

Red Wine

Is there an association between red wine and HBP?

In Common High Blood Pressure Myths: Myth: I Read That Wine Is Good for the Heart, Which Means I Can Drink As Much As I Want the American Heart Association (AHA) explain:

“If you drink alcohol, including red wine, do so in moderation. Heavy and regular use of alcohol can increase blood pressure dramatically. It can also cause heart failure, lead to stroke and produce irregular heartbeats. Too much alcohol can contribute to high triglycerides, cancer, obesity, alcoholism, suicide and accidents. If you drink, limit consumption to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Generally, one drink equals a 12-ounce beer, a four-ounce glass of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, or one ounce of hard liquor (100 proof)”.10

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and HBP?

In High Blood Pressure and Women: High Blood Pressure After Menopause the AHA’s Go Red for Women note:

High Blood Pressure“While you may have had normal blood pressure most of your life, your chances of developing high blood pressure increase considerably after menopause. See your doctor regularly to have your blood pressure monitored.

Heart disease risk rises for everyone as they age, but for women symptoms can become more evident after the onset of menopause”.11

In Menopause and High Blood Pressure: What’s the Connection? Is There A Connection Between Menopause and High Blood Pressure? the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Blood pressure generally increases after menopause. Some doctors think this increase suggests that shifting hormones related to menopause are to blame. Others think an increase in body mass index (BMI) in menopausal women may be the more likely culprit.

Changes in hormones during menopause can lead to weight gain and make your blood pressure more sensitive to salt in your diet — which, in turn, can lead to higher blood pressure. Some types of hormone therapy (HT) for menopause also may lead to higher blood pressure”.12

Common or Not

How common is HBP?

In the United States in The Facts About High Blood Pressure: If You Have High Blood Pressure, You Are Not Alone according to the AHA:

  • “Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure. (Many don’t even know they have it)”.13

In the United Kingdom (UK), according to the BHF:

“As many as 5 million adults in the UK have undiagnosed high blood pressure, so will not know that they are at risk”.14

Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

Is there an association between heart attack and stroke risk and HBP?

In High Blood Pressure the BHF note:

“Having high blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, so knowing your blood pressure could save your life”.15

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have HBP?

If you think you have HBP, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The BHF explain:

“The only way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to have it measured. So, it’s important to get your blood pressure checked”.16

In High Blood Pressure: Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure the CDC reassure us:

“Whatever your age, you can take steps each day to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

You can help prevent high blood pressure—also called hypertension—by making healthy choices and managing other health conditions you may have”.17

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to High Blood Pressure?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to High Blood Pressure?

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Links

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  1. 10 Ways To Control High Blood Pressure Without Medication
  2. 5 Critical Steps To Help Prevent A Stroke
  3. 5 Surprising Facts About High Blood Pressure
  4. 5 Things To Know About Blood Pressure Before It’s A Problem
  5. Alcohol: Does It Affect Blood Pressure?
  6. American Diabetes Association: Conquer High Blood Pressure
  7. American Heart Month 2021: Feeling the Pressure? We Can Help
  8. Anxiety: A Cause of High Blood Pressure?
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  10. Blood Pressure Medication: Still Necessary If I Lose Weight?
  11. Blood Pressure Test
  12. Blood Pressure and Your Heart
  13. Blood Pressure vs. Heart Rate (Pulse)
  14. Blood Pressure: Can It Be Higher In One Arm?
  15. Blood Pressure: Does It Have A Daily Pattern?
  16. Bloodpressureuk.org
  17. COVID-19 and High Blood Pressure: Am I At Risk?
  18. Caffeine: How Does It Affect High Blood Pressure?
  19. Can Whole-Grain Foods Lower Blood Pressure?
  20. Change Your Numbers. Change Your Life.
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  23. Common High Blood Pressure Myths
  24. Consumer Health: Are Public Blood Pressure Machines Accurate?
  25. Consumer Health: Monitoring Your Blood Pressure At Home
  26. Dash Diet: Healthy Eating To Lower Your Blood Pressure
  27. Dash Eating Plan
  28. Do You Know Your Blood Pressure?
  29. Exercise Could Lower High Blood Pressure Risk
  30. Exercise: A Drug-Free Approach To Lowering High Blood Pressure
  31. Five Foods To Help Lower Blood Pressure
  32. Five Simple Steps To Control Your Blood Pressure
  33. Get Your Blood Pressure Checked
  34. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
  35. Health Threats From High Blood Pressure
  36. Healthy Lifestyle
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  44. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Prevention
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  46. High Blood Pressure [+ Video: Learn About High Blood Pressure]
  47. High Blood Pressure and African Americans
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  49. High Blood Pressure – Multiply Languages
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  51. High Blood Pressure, Afib and Your Risk of Stroke
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  56. High Blood Pressure: Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure
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  59. High Blood Pressure: What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)? [+ Video: Understanding Blood Pressure (Subtitles)]
  60. How Black Women Can Take Control of Their Blood Pressure
  61. How High Blood Pressure Can Lead To Stroke
  62. How Much Harm Can A Little Excess Salt Do? Plenty
  63. How To Lower Your Blood Pressure
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  65. Hypertension
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  67. Is High Blood Pressure Inevitable? Here’s How To Keep It In Check
  68. Keep High Blood Pressure Under Control
  69. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life
  70. Know Your Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure
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  73. Low Blood Pressure – When Blood Pressure Is Too Low
  74. Mayo Clinic Minute: Know Your Blood Pressure Numbers [+ Video]
  75. Mayo Clinic Q and A: COVID-19 and High Blood Pressure
  76. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Resistant Hypertension — Keeping Blood Pressure At Optimal Levels Reduces Risk of Damage To Blood Vessels
  77. Medications and Supplements That Can Raise Your Blood Pressure
  78. Menopause and High Blood Pressure: What’s the Connection?
  79. Millionhearts.hhs.gov [Million Hearts]
  80. Mindyourrisks.nih.gov [Mind Your Risks]
  81. My Life Check | Life’s Simple 7
  82. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  83. National Women’s Blood Pressure Awareness Week October 11 – 17, 2020 [United States]
  84. Partnering With Your Doctor To Treat High Blood Pressure
  85. Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Blood Pressure
  86. Release the Pressure High Blood Pressure
  87. Release the Pressure: About the Issue [+ Video: Why the Release the Pressure Campaign?
  88. Sodium In Your Diet
  89. South Asian Background
  90. The Blood Pressure Test
  91. The Facts About High Blood Pressure [+ Video]
  92. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
  93. Video Series-2021: What You Need to Know About the #1 Cause of Death in Women
  94. What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
  95. What Is Blood Pressure?
  96. What Is High Blood Pressure?
  97. Why High Blood High Pressure Is A “Silent Killer”
  98. Women’s Wellness: Is There A Connection Between Menopause and High Blood Pressure?
  99. Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors: Are They Accurate?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. High Blood Pressure. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/high-blood-pressure.aspx Accessed: 26 December 2021
  2. High Blood Pressure: High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes – What Is Blood Pressure? Page Last Reviewed: 18 May 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm Accessed: 26 December 2021
  3. High Blood Pressure: What Is High Blood Pressure? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/high-blood-pressure.aspx Accessed: 26 December 2021
  4. High Blood Pressure: High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes – What Do Blood Pressure Numbers Mean? Page Last Reviewed: 18 May 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm Accessed: 26 December 2021
  5. High Blood Pressure: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications. Last Updated: 08 May 2020. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure Accessed: 26 December 2021
  6. Hypertension. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/hypertension#tab=tab_1 Accessed: 26 December 2021
  7. High Blood Pressure. Last Updated: 08 May 2020. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure Accessed: 26 December 2021
  8. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Content Current As of 29 May 2019. Food and Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/ucm118529.htm Accessed: 26 December 2021
  9. High Blood Pressure: What Causes High Blood Pressure? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/high-blood-pressure.aspx Accessed: 26 December 2021
  10. Common High Blood Pressure Myths: I Read That Wine Is Good for the Heart, Which Means I Can Drink As Much As I Want. Last Reviewed: 31 October 2016. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure/common-high-blood-pressure-myths Accessed: 26 December 2021
  11. High Blood Pressure and Women: High Blood Pressure After Menopause. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/why-high-blood-pressure-is-a-silent-killer/high-blood-pressure-and-women Accessed: 26 December 2021
  12. Menopause and High Blood Pressure: What’s the Connection? Is There A Connection Between Menopause and High Blood Pressure? Page Last Updated: 16 July 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/menopause-and-high-blood-pressure/faq-20058406 Accessed: 26 December 2021
  13. The Facts About High Blood Pressure: If You Have High Blood Pressure, You Are Not Alone. Last Reviewed: 30 November 2017. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure Accessed: 26 December 2021
  14. High Blood Pressure: Where Can I Get My Blood Pressure Measured or Tested? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure Accessed: 26 December 2021
  15. High Blood Pressure. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/high-blood-pressure.aspx Accessed: 26 December 2021
  16. High Blood Pressure: Where Can I Get My Blood Pressure Measured or Tested? British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/high-blood-pressure.aspx Accessed: 26 December 2021
  17. High Blood Pressure: Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure. Page Last Reviewed: 30 September 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/prevent_manage.htm Accessed: 26 December 2021

Topic Last Updated: 26 December 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 December 2021
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