Hypertension
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Management
Prevention
What to Expect
Living Well
Blood pressure measures the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart. It naturally rises and falls throughout the day, but when it stays consistently high, your heart and blood vessels are under extra strain.
Over time, this increased pressure damages your arteries. They become less flexible and more prone to plaque buildup—which can lead to heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.
Hypertension often develops silently over many years, so you may not realize you have it. Symptoms often don’t appear until complications develop. With regular monitoring and treatment, you can keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and prevent long-term damage.
Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers:
Systolic pressure (top number): The pressure when your heart beats.
Diastolic pressure (bottom number): The pressure when your heart rests between beats.
A healthy blood pressure is usually below 120/80 mmHg.
Hypertension is diagnosed when readings consistently exceed 130/80 mmHg, based on guidelines from the American Heart Association.
High blood pressure affects nearly half of U.S. adults, yet many don’t know they have it. It’s a major contributor to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure—but it’s also one of the most treatable chronic conditions when detected early.
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Symptoms and Causes
Most people with hypertension don’t notice any symptoms. That’s why regular checkups and home monitoring are essential.
When symptoms do occur, they might include:
Headaches
Dizziness or blurred vision
Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort
Nosebleeds
These signs usually develop only when blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels.
Common causes and risk factors:
Age: Risk increases with age as arteries become stiffer.
Family history: Genetics can influence blood pressure.
Lifestyle: High-sodium diet, inactivity, smoking, excess alcohol use.
Medical conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders.
Stress: Long-term stress can raise blood pressure.
Diagnosis and Tests
Hypertension is diagnosed with a quick, blood pressure measurement. Your clinician will use a cuff and stethoscope—or an automated device—to measure your blood pressure on more than one occasion.
Diagnosis may include:
Two or more elevated readings (≥130/80 mmHg) on separate visits
Home or wearable blood pressure monitoring to confirm high readings
Additional tests may include:
Blood tests: Check kidney function, electrolytes, and cholesterol levels.
Urinalysis: Detect protein or signs of kidney problems.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Evaluate heart rhythm and check for enlargement.
Echocardiogram: Assess heart structure and pumping ability.
These tests help determine the cause of high blood pressure and guide treatment.
Management and Treatment
Managing hypertension focuses on two goals: lowering your blood pressure and reducing your risk of complications.
Lifestyle Changes
Eat a heart-healthy diet: Follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) plan. Limit sodium to less than 1,500 mg per day, and eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Exercise regularly: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, such as brisk walking, light cycling, or water aerobics.
Maintain a healthy weight: Losing even 5–10 pounds can help lower blood pressure.
Limit alcohol and quit smoking: Both can raise blood pressure and harm blood vessels over time.
Manage stress: Try meditation, deep breathing, or gentle movement.
Medications
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your clinician may prescribe:
Diuretics: Help your body remove extra salt and water.
ACE inhibitors or ARBs: Help blood vessels relax and widen.
Calcium channel blockers: Keep blood vessels open and help blood flow more easily.
Beta-blockers: Slow the heart rate and reduce pressure.
You may need more than one medication to reach your target blood pressure. With the right plan, you can often manage it effectively through a combination of lifestyle changes and treatment.
Prevention
Preventing hypertension — or keeping it from worsening — relies on everyday choices that support heart health.
Preventive strategies:
Stay active: Aim for regular physical activity each day.
Get enough sleep: Most adults need 7–9 hours per night.
Monitor your blood pressure regularly: Use a home monitor or have it checked in a clinic.
Follow a balanced, low-sodium diet: Choose fresh foods when possible and limit processed or packaged items.
Manage chronic stress: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or light stretching.
Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol: Healthy limits can help you maintain normal blood pressure.
Schedule annual checkups: Regular visits help track changes and adjust your care plan as needed.
Know your numbers
Keep a log of your blood pressure readings to share with your clinician. Tracking trends over time helps catch problems early and prevent complications.
What to Expect
With early diagnosis and the right care, you can often keep high blood pressure under control.
With proper management:
Stroke risk can drop by 35–40%.
Heart attack risk can fall by 20–25%.
Heart failure risk can decrease by about 50%.
You’re more likely to maintain healthy blood pressure when you:
Take medications as prescribed.
Maintain healthy lifestyle habits.
Monitor blood pressure regularly.
Stay in touch with your clinician.
Hypertension requires lifelong management, but every small step supports long-term heart and vascular health.
Living Well With High Blood Pressure
Living well with high blood pressure is about consistency and support. Once your treatment plan is in place, find routines that make healthy habits easier to maintain.
Practical ways to stay on track
Create reminders: Take medications and check your blood pressure at the same time each day.
Plan ahead: Keep low-sodium ingredients and heart-healthy snacks at home.
Find movement you enjoy: Activities like walking, dancing, or swimming make it easier to stay active long term.
Manage stress daily: Even a few minutes of deep breathing or mindfulness can help.
Stay connected: Share your progress with loved ones or join a support group for accountability.
If your blood pressure suddenly rises above 180/120 mmHg and you have chest pain, vision changes, or shortness of breath, seek emergency care right away.
Take Charge of Your Blood Pressure Today
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure or are at risk, now is the time to act. Small, consistent steps can make a big difference in your long-term heart health.
References
American Heart Association. (2023). High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). heart.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Facts About Hypertension. cdc.gov
Jones DW, Ferdinand KC, Taler SJ, et al. 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2025;152(10):e114–e218. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001356
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2023). Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure. NIH Publication No. 06-5830.
Whelton, P. K., et al. (2018). 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. J Am Coll Cardiol, 71(19): e127–e248.