High blood pressure (hypertension) - Symptoms & causes - Mayo …
Feb 29, 2024 · High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the body's arteries. It's also called hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Blood pressure chart: What your reading means - Mayo Clinic
Feb 28, 2024 · If your blood pressure is OK, following a healthy lifestyle may prevent or delay high blood pressure or other health problems. If your blood pressure is high, you may need lifestyle changes and medicines to control it and reduce the risk of …
High blood pressure (hypertension) - Diagnosis & treatment
Feb 29, 2024 · High blood pressure (hypertension) is diagnosed if the blood pressure reading is equal to or greater than 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A diagnosis of high blood pressure is usually based on the average of two or more readings taken on separate occasions. Blood pressure is grouped according to how high it is. This is called staging.
10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication
Jul 23, 2024 · If you have high blood pressure, you may wonder if you need to take medicine to treat it. But lifestyle changes play a vital role in treating high blood pressure. Controlling blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle might prevent, delay or lessen the need for medicine. Here are 10 lifestyle changes that can lower blood pressure and keep it down.
High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension's effects on your body
Nov 28, 2023 · High blood pressure can cause many heart conditions, including: Coronary artery disease. High blood pressure can narrow and damage the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This damage is known as coronary artery disease. Too little blood flow to the heart can lead to chest pain, called angina.
Elevated blood pressure - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Feb 19, 2024 · High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and strokes. Family history of high blood pressure. You're more likely to develop elevated blood pressure if you have a parent or sibling with the condition. Not being physically active. Not exercising can cause weight gain. Increased weight raises the risk of elevated blood pressure. Diet ...
Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms? - Mayo Clinic
Jun 19, 2024 · If you get a very high blood pressure reading at home and don't have any symptoms, relax for a few minutes. Then check your blood pressure again. If it's still very high, seek medical care. Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke.
DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure - Mayo …
May 25, 2023 · High blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol levels are two major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Foods in the DASH diet are rich in the minerals potassium, calcium and magnesium. The DASH diet focuses on vegetables, fruits and whole grains. It includes fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans and nuts.
Choosing blood pressure medications - Mayo Clinic
Aug 17, 2023 · Sometimes lifestyle changes are not enough to treat high blood pressure. If not, your health care team may recommend blood pressure medicine. The type of medicine used to treat high blood pressure depends on your overall health and how high your blood pressure is. Two or more blood pressure medicines often work better than one.
Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure
Dec 14, 2024 · High blood pressure is called hypertension. The risk of hypertension goes up as you get older. But getting some exercise may lower the risk. If your blood pressure is already high, exercise can help you control it. You don't need to immediately run a marathon or join a gym. Instead, start slow. Work ...