High blood pressureHypertension
An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of high blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Measurements
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The higher number is the systolic blood pressure, the pressure in your arteries while your heart is pumping blood. The lower number is the diastolic blood pressure, the pressure when your heart is relaxing and refilling with blood between beats. For adults:
- Normal blood pressure readings are below 120/80 mm Hg.
- High blood pressure (hypertension) is generally considered to be a blood pressure reading greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg (systolic) or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg (diastolic).
- Blood pressure readings in the prehypertension category (120 -139 systolic or 80 - 89 diastolic) indicate an increased risk for developing hypertension.
- A blood pressure reading below 140/90 mm Hg should be the minimum goal for everyone. People with certain health conditions (heart disease, peripheral artery disease) may benefit from a lower target goal.
Blood Pressure Screening Guidelines
Current guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all adults, ages 18 and older, have their blood pressure measured.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force also recommends that all people with blood pressure readings of 135/80 mm Hg or higher be screened for type 2 diabetes. (The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetes screening for people with blood pressure greater than 140/90.)
Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Most people with high blood pressure will benefit from monitoring their blood pressure at home on a regular basis. Home monitoring can help show if blood pressure medications are working or if they need to be adjusted.
Lifestyle Changes and High Blood Pressure
Lifestyle changes are important for preventing and treating high blood pressure. Healthy choices include:
- Maintaining a normal weight
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol consumption to no more than one or two drinks a day
- Reducing sodium (salt) intake
- Increasing potassium intake
The DASH diet is a plan proven to improve blood pressure.
Medications for High Blood Pressure
Drug treatment for high blood pressure is tailored to the individual. There are many different types of blood pressure medications. Although some people need only one drug to control blood pressure, recent guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommend a combination of two or more medications for people with blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg.
Blood pressure measurements can fluctuate throughout the day and in different environments. The decision to start or increase blood pressure medications should not be based on a single blood pressure reading. To obtain the most accurate estimate of your true blood pressure, your doctor will use an average of multiple readings. These may include repeated readings made in the doctor’s office as well as blood pressure measurements you performed at home.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is elevated pressure of the blood in the arteries. Hypertension results from two major factors that can occur independently or together.
- The heart pumps blood with excessive force.
- The body's smaller blood vessels (known as the arterioles) narrow so that blood flow exerts more pressure against the vessels' walls.
Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped and the size and flexibility of the arteries.
High blood pressure makes the body's heart work harder, which over time can lead to damage in blood vessels throughout the body. Damaged blood vessels affect function in the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes.
Two numbers are used to describe a blood pressure reading:
- Systolic blood pressure (the first and higher number) is the force that blood exerts on the artery walls as the heart contracts to pump out the blood. It shows the pressure in the arteries when the heart is beating.
- Diastolic blood pressure (the second and lower number) is the measurement of force as the heart relaxes to allow the blood to flow into the heart. It shows the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between heartbeats.
A third number, pulse pressure, is the difference between the systolic and the diastolic readings. It indicates stiffness and inflammation in blood vessel walls. The greater the difference between systolic and diastolic numbers, the greater the risk to health.
There are a number of ways to categorize or describe hypertension.
- Primary hypertension, also called essential or idiopathic hypertension, is high blood pressure without a known cause. About 90% of all high blood pressure cases are this type.
- Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure caused by an underlying medical condition, such as kidney or endocrine disorders. It comprises about 5% of high blood pressure cases.
Doctors may also categorize hypertension based on what portion of the blood pressure reading is abnormal:
- Isolated systolic hypertension occurs when systolic pressure is high (over 139 mm Hg) but diastolic pressure is normal (under 90 mm Hg). It is related to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Isolated systolic hypertension is the most common form of hypertension in people older than age 50.
- Diastolic hypertension refers to an elevated diastolic blood pressure reading (over 89 mm Hg). This subtype is most common in people age 30 - 50.
Blood Pressure Guidelines
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Blood pressure is categorized as:
- Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg.
- Prehypertension blood pressure (120 -139 systolic or 80 - 89 diastolic) indicates an increased risk for developing high blood pressure.
- High blood pressure (hypertension) is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg (systolic) or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg (diastolic). Hypertension is further divided into stages 1 and 2 depending on severity.
Blood Pressure Ranges
Blood Pressure Category
Ranges for Most Adults (systolic/diastolic)
Normal Blood Pressure (systolic/diastolic)
Systolic below 120 mm Hg
Diastolic below 80 mm Hg
Systolic 120 - 139 mm Hg
Diastolic 80 - 89 mm Hg
(NOTE: 139/89 or below should be the minimum goal for everyone. People with heart disease or peripheral artery disease may benefit from levels of 130/80 or less. Blood pressure goals are being reexamined for African-Americans and for people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.)
Mild Hypertension (Stage 1)
Systolic 140 - 159 mm Hg
Diastolic 90 - 99 mm Hg
Moderate-to-Severe Hypertension (Stage 2)
Systolic over 160 mm Hg or
Diastolic over 100 mm Hg
NOTE: If one of the measurements is in a higher category than the other, the higher measurement is usually used to determine the stage. For example, if systolic pressure is 165 (Stage 2) and diastolic is 92 (Stage 1), the person would still be diagnosed with Stage 2 hypertension. A high systolic pressure compared to a normal or low diastolic pressure should be a major focus of concern in most adults.
Blood Pressure in Children
For children, blood pressure readings are based on percentile ranges for a child's body size. Hypertension in children is defined as average systolic and diastolic readings that are greater than the 95th percentile for gender, age, and height on at least three occasions.
Prehypertension in children is diagnosed when average systolic or diastolic blood pressure levels are at least in the 90th percentile, but less than the 95th percentile. For adolescents as with adults, blood pressure readings greater than 120/80 are considered prehypertensive. Increasing rates of childhood obesity have led to higher rates of hypertension and prehypertension among children and adolescents.
Causes of Primary Hypertension
Hypertension is referred to as primary (essential) when the doctor is unable to identify a specific cause. It is by far the most common type of high blood pressure. Primary hypertension may be due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and other factors.
Genetic factors. A number of genetic factors or interactions between genes play a major role in primary hypertension. Genes under investigation include:
- Genes that regulate a group of hormones known collectively as the angiotensin-renin-aldosterone system. This system influences all aspects of blood pressure control, including blood vessel contraction, sodium and water balance, and cell development in the heart.
- Genes that cause abnormalities of the sympathetic nervous system. This is the part of the autonomic nervous system that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and the diameter of the blood vessels.
Causes of Secondary Hypertension
Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying medical condition or other factor (such as medications) that elevates blood pressure. Many different medical conditions are associated with secondary hypertension. These conditions can also make high blood pressure more difficult to control.
Diabetes. Hypertension is strongly associated with diabetes, both types 1 and 2. Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) is generally the cause of high blood pressure in people with diabetes.
Kidney disease. Kidney disease is the most common cause of secondary hypertension, particularly in older people. In addition to diabetic nephropathy, many other types of kidney diseases can cause hypertension. Renal artery stenosis involves the narrowing of the renal artery and is usually caused by atherosclerosis. Other types of kidney disease associated with hypertension are polycystic kidney disease and renal parenchymal disease.
Coarctation of the aorta. This is a birth defect that causes narrowing of the aorta, the main artery of the heart.
Endocrine disorders. Adrenal tumors (pheochromocytoma, aldosteronism), thyroid disorders, and Cushing syndrome can all cause secondary hypertension.
Medications. Many different prescription and over-the-counter drugs can temporarily raise blood pressure or worsen existing high blood pressure, including:
- Corticosteroids when given by mouth or intravenously
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, generic), naproxen (Aleve, generic), and aspirin
- Cold medicine decongestants containing pseudoephedrine can increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, although they appear to pose no danger for those with normal blood pressure.
- Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) increase the risk for high blood pressure, particularly in women who are older than 35 years, obese, smokers, have strong family history of hypertension, or some combination of these factors. Stopping the pill nearly always reduces blood pressure.
In the United States, about 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure. Many people with high blood pressure don't know they have it.
About 30% of American adults have prehypertension (blood pressure ranges from 120 - 139/80 - 89 mm Hg). People who are diagnosed with prehypertension are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure.
Age and Gender
Age is the major risk factor of hypertension. Men over age 45 and women over age 55 are at increased risk for high blood pressure. Over half of Americans over age 60 have hypertension. After age 65, high blood pressure affects more women than men. Hypertension is also becoming more common in children and teenagers. Among younger people, boys are at higher risk for high blood pressure than girls.
Race and Ethnicity
Compared to Caucasians and other ethnic groups, African-Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure. More than 40% of African-American men and women have hypertension. (African-American women have a higher risk than African-American men.) High blood pressure tends to start at a younger age among African-Americans, is often more severe, and causes greater risks for premature death from heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.
People with parents or other close relatives who have high blood pressure have an increased risk of developing it themselves.
About a third of people with high blood pressure are overweight. Even moderately obese adults have double the risk of hypertension than people with normal weights. Children and adolescents who are obese are at increased risk for high blood pressure when they reach adulthood.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing halts briefly but repeatedly during sleep, is present in many people with hypertension. The relationship between sleep apnea and hypertension has been thought to be largely due to obesity. But studies are finding a higher rate of hypertension in people with sleep apnea regardless of their weight.
Smoking. Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for high blood pressure.
Sodium (salt) and potassium. Eating too much sodium (salt) can increase the risk for developing high blood pressure. Similarly, a diet that is too low in potassium can make the body accumulate too much sodium. Sodium and potassium are important regulators of fluid balance in cells.
Alcohol. Chronic heavy alcohol use can increase blood pressure. Women may be more sensitive than men to the blood pressure effects of alcohol.
Physical inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity can increase the risk of becoming overweight.
Stress. Mental and emotional stress can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. Chronic stress can lead to engaging in unhealthy behaviors (overeating, smoking, alcohol use, lack of exercise) that contribute to high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a disorder characterized by chronically high blood pressure. It must be monitored, treated, and controlled by medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of both.
High blood pressure places stress on several organs (called target organs), including the kidneys, eyes, and heart. The stress causes them to deteriorate over time.
High blood pressure contributes to 75% of all strokes and heart attacks. It is particularly deadly in African-Americans.
Combined with significantly high blood pressure, other risk factors can increase the likelihood of complications. These risk factors include:
- Increasing age
- Abnormal cholesterol levels
- Family history of premature heart disease
- Coronary artery disease, or other evidence of vascular disease
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for hypertensive heart disease, the leading cause of illness and death from high blood pressure. Hypertensive heart disease is a group of complications that include:
- Coronary artery disease. High blood pressure contributes to the thickening of the blood vessel walls, which can cause or worsen atherosclerosis (accumulated deposits of cholesterol in the blood vessels). The end result is coronary artery disease (CAD), also called ischemic heart disease. CAD increases the risk for angina (chest pain), heart attack, stroke, and death. High blood pressure is the most common risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
- Heart failure. High blood pressure increases the heart's workload. Over time, this can cause the heart muscle to thicken (cardiac hypertrophy), which makes it more difficult for the heart to pump out sufficient blood. This process can eventually lead to heart failure.
- Cardiac arrhythmias. High blood pressure increases the risk for cardiac arrhythmias (disturbances and irregularities in heartbeats). Arrhythmias include atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, and ventricular tachycardia.
About two-thirds of people who suffer a first stroke have moderate elevated blood pressure (160/95 mm Hg or above). Hypertensive people have up to 10 times the normal risk of stroke, depending on the severity of the blood pressure in the presence of other risk factors. Hypertension is also an important cause of silent cerebral infarcts, which are blockages in the blood vessels in the brain (mini-strokes) that may predict major stroke or progress to dementia over time.
Diabetes and Kidney Disease
Diabetes. High blood pressure, and some of the medications used to treat it, can increase the risk for developing diabetes. There are strong biologic links between insulin resistance (with or without diabetes) and hypertension. It is unclear if one condition causes the other.
In general, people with diabetes should strive for blood pressure levels of less than 140/90 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic). For some people, especially younger people, a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 130 mm Hg may be appropriate. People with diabetes and high blood pressure need an individualized approach to drug treatment, based on their particular health profile.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for type 2 diabetes in all people with blood pressure higher than 135/80 mm Hg.
End-stage kidney disease. High blood pressure causes about 30% of all cases of end-stage kidney disease (referred to as end-stage renal disease, or ESRD). Only diabetes leads to more cases of kidney failure. People with diabetes and hypertension need to be monitored very closely for the development of kidney disease.
Isolated systolic hypertension may pose a particular risk for dementia, or memory loss.
High blood pressure can injure the blood vessels in the eye's retina, causing a condition called retinopathy.
Sexual dysfunction is more common and more severe in smokers and men with hypertension than it is in the general population. Although older drugs used to treat hypertension caused erectile dysfunction as a side effect, the disease process that causes hypertension is itself a major cause of erectile dysfunction.
Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors -- such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra) -- do not appear to pose a risk for most men who have both high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction. But men who have uncontrolled or unstable hypertension should not take these medications.
Men who take nitrate medications for heart disease cannot take erectile dysfunction pills.
Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure
Many women who are likely to develop hypertension when they are older have their first elevated blood pressure readings during pregnancy. Elevated blood pressure readings generally show up early in pregnancy, before 16 - 20 weeks. These women often require antihypertensive medications during pregnancy and closer monitoring of themselves and the fetus. Continued hypertension after the pregnancy is also not uncommon.
Severe and sudden high blood pressure in pregnant women is one component of a condition called preeclampsia (also called toxemia) that can be very serious for both mother and child. Preeclampsia occurs in up to 10% of all pregnancies, usually in the third trimester of a first pregnancy, and resolves immediately after delivery. Other symptoms and signs of preeclampsia include protein in the urine, severe headaches, and swollen ankles.
The reduced supply of blood to the placenta can cause low birth weight and eye or brain damage in the fetus. Severe cases of preeclampsia can cause kidney damage, convulsion, and coma in the mother and can be lethal to both mother and child. Women at risk for preeclampsia (particularly those with existing hypertension) are monitored carefully for its presence. Both mother and fetus are monitored closely after a diagnosis. Blood pressure medications may be required.
Delivery is the main cure for preeclampsia. In severe cases, the obstetrician will need to induce pre-term birth.
High blood pressure increases slowly over the years. It is often called the "silent killer" because it usually produces no symptoms until vital organs are damaged, like the heart, brain, and kidneys.
Everyone, 18 years and older, should have their blood pressure measured on a regular basis. It is particularly important for anyone with risk factors to have their blood pressure checked regularly and to make appropriate lifestyle changes. Such recommendations are especially important for people who:
- Have prehypertension or hypertension
- Have a family history of hypertension
- Are overweight
- Are over age 40
Symptoms of Malignant Hypertension
Malignant hypertension is very high blood pressure that comes on suddenly and quickly. The lower (diastolic) blood pressure reading, which is normally around 80 mm Hg, is often above 130 mm Hg. This rare disorder affects about 1% of people with high blood pressure, including both children and adults. It is more common in younger adults, especially African-American men.
Malignant hypertension is a life-threatening condition and must be treated immediately. People with uncontrolled hypertension or a history of heart failure are at increased risk for this crisis.
People should call a doctor immediately if these symptoms occur:
- Loss of vision
- Difficulty breathing
Most physical exams at the doctor's office include a blood pressure reading. People should not smoke, exercise, or drink caffeinated beverages within 30 minutes before their blood pressure measurement.
Measuring Blood Pressure
The standard instrument used to measure blood pressure is called a sphygmomanometer, more often referred to as a blood pressure cuff. Measurements are given as units of mercury, which was used to fill the central column in standard sphygmomanometers for many years. Modern devices do not use mercury.
- While seated with your back supported, an inflatable cuff with a meter attached is placed around your upper arm, over the artery. The arm being used for measurement is around the level of your heart. The inflated cuff briefly interrupts the flow of blood in your artery, which then resumes as the cuff is slowly deflated.
- As the cuff is slowly deflated, the person taking your blood pressure listens to the blood pumping through the artery with a stethoscope.
- The first pumping sound is recorded as the systolic pressure, and the last sound is the diastolic pressure.
- If a first blood pressure reading is above normal, the health professional may take two or more measurements separated by 2 minutes with you sitting or lying down. Another measurement may be taken after you have been standing for 2 minutes. If the measurements are still elevated, your health care provider should take blood pressure readings from both arms.
Decisions on starting or increasing medications should be based on multiple blood pressure readings, taken at both the doctor's office and at home.
Although this test has been used for more than 90 years, it is not completely accurate or sensitive. The following factors can cause a falsely low pressure reading:
- An arm cuff that is too wide
Falsely high pressure readings can result from:
- An arm cuff that is too small
- Recently consuming foods or beverages (such as coffee) that raise blood pressure
- Recent tobacco exposure
- Recent exercise
Blood pressure readings taken by a doctor are more likely to be higher than readings measured at home. This can be due to "white coat hypertension," which is blood pressure that is only elevated during a doctor's office visit. People with white coat hypertension have:
- High readings in the doctor's office
- Daytime blood pressure readings away from the doctor's office of less than 135/85 mg Hg
- No evidence of complications of blood pressure elsewhere in the body
These people may require additional blood pressure monitoring.
Doctors may ask some people to use a special ambulatory monitoring device for a 24-hour period. The device checks blood pressure about every 15 - 30 minutes during the day and night and provides a read-out of blood pressure measurements for the doctor. Ambulatory monitoring may be used for people who have borderline high blood pressure or for those who have had difficulty keeping their blood pressure under control. It can also help distinguish between true and white coat hypertension and it can detect masked hypertension (readings that are normal in a doctor's office but high during daily life). Ambulatory monitoring can also be helpful for diagnosing children with suspected high blood pressure.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that all people with high blood pressure monitor their blood pressure at home on a regular basis. In addition to other benefits, home monitoring can help show if blood pressure medications are working.
The AHA recommends:
- Purchase a blood pressure monitor with cuffs that fit on the upper arm. Wrist monitors are not recommended. Make sure that the cuff is the right size. One size does not fit all.
- Ask your doctor to show you the proper way to use the monitor. Your arm should be supported with your upper arm at heart level, your feet on the floor, back supported, and legs uncrossed.
- Take two or three readings at a sitting, 1 minute apart, while resting in a seated position. It is important to take the readings at the same time each day. Your doctor may suggest specific times your readings should be taken.
- The target goal of a reading is under 135/85 mm Hg or less than 130/80 mm Hg in high-risk people.
Blood pressure variations at home. In general, everyone's blood pressure varies throughout the day. In monitoring at home, it is important to note that blood pressure is usually highest from morning to mid-afternoon. Upon waking, blood pressure in most people typically increases suddenly. Early morning is the highest risk period for heart attack and stroke.
Blood pressure normally dips to its lowest level during sleep, although some people (particularly postmenopausal women) have a condition called non-dipper hypertension, in which blood pressure does not fall at night.
Physical Examination for Complications of Hypertension
If your blood pressure is elevated, the doctor will:
- Check your pulse rate
- Examine the back of your eyes
- Examine your neck for distended veins or an enlarged thyroid gland
- Check your heart for enlargement and murmurs
- Examine your abdomen
- Check your leg pulses
If hypertension is suspected, your doctor may ask about:
- Your family and personal medical history, especially relating to high blood pressure, stroke, heart problems, kidney disease, or diabetes.
- Risk factors for heart disease and stroke, including tobacco use, salt intake, obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
- Any medications you are taking.
- Any symptom that might indicate secondary hypertension (high blood pressure caused by another disorder). Such symptoms include headache, heart palpitations, excessive sweating, muscle cramps or weakness, or excessive urination.
- Any emotional or environmental factors that could affect blood pressure.
Laboratory and Other Tests
If a physical examination indicates hypertension, additional tests may help determine whether organ damage is present.
Blood tests and urinalysis. These tests are performed to check for a number of factors, including:
- Potassium levels
- Blood sugar (to screen for diabetes)
- Kidney function
Measuring blood levels of the protein creatinine, for example, is important for all hypertensive people in order to determine kidney damage.
Tests to evaluate the heart. These tests include:
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) in the doctor's office.
- An exercise stress test for people who also have symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD).
- An echocardiogram, when it would help the doctor decide whether to start treatment. Most of the time this test is not necessary for people who have only hypertension and no other symptoms.
Tests to evaluate the kidneys. These tests include:
- A Doppler or duplex test to see whether one of the arteries supplying blood to the kidney is narrowed, a condition called renal artery stenosis.
- An ultrasound to examine the kidneys.
People with hypertension should work with their doctors to set blood pressure goals based on their individual risk factors, including:
- Family history of heart disease
- Unhealthy cholesterol and lipid levels
- Age, especially people over 60
The decision to start or increase blood pressure medications should not be based on a single blood pressure reading in the doctor's office, but on repeated readings. Your doctor may ask you for a list of your home blood pressure readings to help provide a more accurate estimate of your true blood pressure. It may be necessary to check blood pressure as many as five or six times to get the best estimate.
Drug treatment must be individualized. In some people, a single-drug regimen can control mild to moderate hypertension. But the latest guidelines recommend combination therapy with two or more drugs if a person's blood pressure remains above 140/90 mm Hg despite lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, and weight control).
Each drug has specific benefits. But their effects may vary depending on the individual. The major anti-hypertensive medications fall into the following 5 categories:
- Diuretics rid the body of extra water and salt. Thiazide diuretics are usually the first-line treatment for high blood pressure.
- Beta blockers block the effects of adrenaline and ease the heart's pumping action.
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce the production of angiotensin, a chemical that causes arteries to narrow.
- Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) block the action of angiotensin.
- Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) decrease the contractions of the heart and widen blood vessels.
Side effects and problems in compliance. One of the most difficult issues that people face is that the treatment may make them feel worse than the disease, which usually has no symptoms. Whatever the difficulties, compliance with a drug and lifestyle program is worth the effort. It is very important to discuss any medication concerns with your doctor. If your current blood pressure drugs are causing uncomfortable side effects, your doctor may adjust your dosages or combinations.
Withdrawal from anti-hypertensive medications. People whose blood pressure has been well-controlled and who are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle may be able to withdraw from medications. They should do so in a step-down manner (gradual reduction) and be monitored regularly. Stopping too quickly can have adverse effects, including serious effects on the heart. People who are most likely to stop using medications include
- Those who were able to lose weight and reduce sodium intake
- Those treated with a single drug
- Those who maintained lower systolic blood pressure during treatment
People over 75 years old may have more trouble than younger adults maintaining normal blood pressure after withdrawal.
Treatment of Resistant Hypertension
Some people are unable to meet target blood pressure goals despite consistently following a treatment plan that includes three or more medications. Factors that contribute to treatment resistant hypertension include:
- Older age (especially age 75 or older)
- High baseline blood pressure
- Medical conditions such as obesity, sleep apnea, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease
Treating any underlying medical condition is important for helping control blood pressure. People should be sure to adhere to healthy lifestyle changes and may require modifications to their drug regimens. Those with severe resistant hypertension should consult with a doctor who specializes in treating high blood pressure.
Treatment of Older Adults
High blood pressure is very common in older adults and can be challenging to control. In general, older adults usually have an elevated systolic blood pressure and a normal or low diastolic blood pressure, a condition known as isolated systolic hypertension.
Medications can be very effective for controlling high blood pressure in older adults, even in those over age 80. The choice of medications will depend in part on a person's history of other heart problems. Blood pressure drugs prescribed for older people are generally started at the lowest dose and then gradually increased as necessary. As with all people with high blood pressure, lifestyle changes are an essential component of treatment.
Older adults should have their blood pressure monitored on a regular basis. Blood pressure readings should be taken while in a standing position, as well as while seated.
Treatment of Children
Results of studies evaluating outcomes of children with hypertension suggest that early abnormalities, including an enlarged heart and abnormalities in the kidney and eyes, may occur even in children with mild hypertension. Children and adolescents with hypertension should be monitored and evaluated for any early organ damage. Secondary hypertension (high blood pressure due to another disease or drug) is more common in children than adults.
Children with high blood pressure should first be treated with lifestyle changes, including:
- Weight reduction
- Increased physical activity
- Diet modification
If blood pressure is not controlled with lifestyle changes, drug treatment may be required.
Healthy lifestyle changes are an important first step for lowering blood pressure. Current guidelines recommend that people should:
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
- Maintain normal weight.
- Reduce sodium (salt) intake.
- Increase potassium intake.
- Limit alcohol consumption to no more than one or two drinks a day.
- Consume a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products while reducing total and saturated fat intake. (The DASH diet is one way to reach this goal.)
- Quit smoking.
Restricting Sodium (Salt)
In general, everyone should restrict their sodium intake to no more than 2,300 mg a day (less than 1 teaspoon of salt). This is particularly important for people over age 50, all African-Americans, and everyone with high blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends that people with heart disease risk factors limit sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg a day (about ½ teaspoon). Sodium restriction lowers blood pressure and also helps protect against heart failure and heart disease.
Some people are salt sensitive. This means their blood pressure responds much more to salt than other people. People with salt sensitivity have a higher than average risk of developing high blood pressure, as well as other heart problems. Sodium restriction is particularly important for people with salt sensitivity, which includes:
- Older adults
- People with diabetes
- Overweight people
- People with a family history of hypertension
Salt substitutes such as Nu-Salt and AlsoSalt are available. But they can be risky for people with kidney disease or those who take blood pressure medications that can cause potassium retention.
Some tips for lowering your salt and sodium intake include:
- Look for foods that are labeled low-sodium, sodium-free, no salt added, or unsalted. Check the total sodium content on food labels. Be especially careful of canned, packaged, frozen, and processed foods. A nutritionist can teach you how to understand these labels.
- Don't cook with salt or add salt to what you are eating. Instead, try pepper, garlic, lemon, or other spices for flavor, such as salt-free blends from McCormick or Mrs. Dash. Be sure to read the ingredients on packaged spice blends. They may contain salt or salt products (like monosodium glutamate, MSG).
- Avoid processed meats, especially cured meats, bacon, hot dogs, sausage, bologna, ham, and salami.
- Avoid foods that are naturally high in sodium, like anchovies, nuts, olives, pickles, sauerkraut, soy and Worcestershire sauces, tomato and other vegetable juices, and cheese.
- Take care when eating out. Stick to steamed, grilled, baked, boiled, and broiled foods with no added salt, sauce, or cheese.
- On salads, use oil and vinegar, rather than bottled dressings.
- Eat fresh fruit or sorbet for dessert.
A potassium-rich diet may help reduce blood pressure. Potassium-rich foods include:
- Dried peas and beans
The recommended daily intake of potassium is 3,500 mg a day for people without risk factors for excess potassium levels.
Some people may need to take potassium supplements. However, people who take medications that limit the kidney's ability to excrete potassium, such as ACE inhibitors, digoxin, or potassium-sparing diuretics, should not take potassium supplements and should be aware of excess potassium in their diet.
The salt-restrictive DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is proven to help lower blood pressure, and may have additional benefits for preventing heart disease and stroke. Effects on blood pressure are sometimes seen within a few weeks. This diet is not only rich in important nutrients and fiber but also includes foods that contain far more potassium (4,700 mg/day), calcium (1,250 mg/day), and magnesium (500 mg/day), and much less sodium (salt) than the typical American diet.
DASH diet recommendations include:
- Limit sodium (salt) intake to no more than 2,300 mg a day. Some people may benefit from reducing sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg a day.
- Reduce saturated fat intake to no more than 6% of daily calories and total fat to 27% of daily calories.
- Include dairy products that are non- or low-fat. Low-fat dairy products appear to be especially beneficial for lowering systolic blood pressure.
- When choosing fats, select monounsaturated oils, such as olive or canola oils.
- Choose whole grains over white flour or pasta products.
- Choose fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Many of these foods are rich in potassium, fiber, or both.
- Eat nuts, seeds, or legumes (dried beans or peas) daily.
- Choose modest amounts of protein (no more than 18% of total daily calories). Fish, skinless poultry, and soy products are the best protein sources.
- Limit carbohydrates to 55% of daily calories.
- Limit daily dietary cholesterol intake to 150 mg.
- Try to get at least 30 g of daily fiber.
Other Dietary Considerations
Fiber. Increasing fiber in the diet may help reduce blood pressure levels.
Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaneoic acids (EPA) are found in oily fish. Studies indicate that omega-3s from diet may have benefits for many medical conditions, including heart disease and hypertension. They help keep blood vessels flexible and may help protect the nervous system. Omega-3 fatty acids are also available in supplement form. But eating fish protects the heart more than taking fish oil supplements.
Calcium. Hypertension increases calcium loss from the body. Calcium regulates the tone of the smooth muscles lining blood vessels. Studies have found that people who consume adequate dietary calcium on a daily basis have lower blood pressure than those who do not.
Consuming too much dietary calcium may have a negative effect: Some studies indicate that excess calcium intake (from dietary or supplement sources) may increase blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors.
Even modest weight loss in overweight people, particularly in the abdominal area, can immediately lower blood pressure. When accompanied by salt restriction, weight loss may allow people with mild hypertension to safely reduce or go off medications. The benefits of weight loss on blood pressure are long-lasting.
Regular exercise helps keep arteries elastic, even in older people. This ensures blood flow and normal blood pressure. Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days.
High-intensity exercise may not lower blood pressure as effectively as moderate intensity exercise and may be dangerous in people with hypertension. Older people and those with uncontrolled hypertension or other serious medical conditions should check with their doctors before starting an exercise program.
Everyone should quit smoking, especially people with high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors.
Good Sleep Habits
Certain sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea, are associated with hypertension. Even chronic, insufficient sleep may raise blood pressure in people with hypertension, placing them at increased risk of heart disease and death. Stress hormone levels increase with sleeplessness, which can activate the sympathetic nervous system, a strong player in hypertension.
People who have chronic insomnia or other severe sleep disturbances may want to consult a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders. People with hypertension who are habitually poor sleepers should consider long-acting blood pressure medications to help counteract the increase in blood pressure that occurs in the early morning hours.
Stress reduction may help blood pressure control. Yoga, Tai chi, and relaxation techniques such as meditation may be beneficial.
Several classes of drugs are used to treat hypertension.
Diuretics help the kidneys get rid of excess salt and water. Thiazide diuretics are the mainstays of anti-hypertensive therapy and are often the first type of drug selected for most people with hypertension. They are also especially helpful for treating people with heart failure, people with isolated systolic hypertension, the elderly, and African-Americans. (African-Americans are more likely to be salt-sensitive, so they respond well to these drugs.) They also work well for people with diabetes. Diuretics are often used in combination with other antihypertensive drugs.
There is strong evidence that diuretics work just as well as newer drugs in lowering blood pressure and are more effective in preventing heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.
The 3 main types of diuretics include:
- Thiazide diuretics. These include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone, Clorpres), indapamide (Lozol), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin), methylclothiazide, (Enduran), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn). All of these prescription drugs are available in generic form. In most cases, thiazides are preferred to other diuretics for treatment of high blood pressure. Some recent research favors chlorthalidone.
- Potassium-sparing diuretics. These include amiloride (Midamor, generic), spironolactone (Aldactone, generic), and triamterene (Dyrenium, generic).
- Loop diuretics. Because loop diuretics act faster than other diuretics it is important to avoid dehydration and potassium loss. Loop diuretics include bumetanide (Bumex, generic), furosemide (Lasix, generic), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin, generic), and torsemide (Demadex, generic).
Loop and thiazide diuretics reduce the body's supply of potassium (hypokalemia), which, if left untreated, increases the risk for arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are heart rhythm disturbances that can lead to cardiac arrest, although they rarely do. If you experience reduced potassium, your doctor will prescribe a lower dose of your current diuretic, recommend potassium supplements, or switch to a potassium-sparing diuretic either alone or in combination with a thiazide.
- Potassium-sparing drugs have their own risks, which include dangerously high levels of potassium in people with existing elevated levels of potassium or in those with damaged kidneys. However, all diuretics are generally more beneficial than harmful.
- Thiazide diuretics may increase blood sugar levels.
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence) may be a side effect of thiazides.
- Elevated uric acid levels, and possibly gout, may be caused by thiazide diuretics.
Common diuretic side effect symptoms include:
- Depression and irritability
- Urinary incontinence
- Reduced sexual drive and problems with obtaining and maintaining an erection
Beta blockers help slow your heart rate and lower blood pressure. They are usually used in combination with other drugs such as ACE inhibitors and diuretics. Beta blockers are more likely to be used to treat hypertension in people with angina, previous heart attack, arrhythmias with fast heart rates, or migraine headaches. With careful use, they can be beneficial for people with heart failure.
Brands. Propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), carvedilol (Coreg), timolol (Blocadren), and nebivolol (Bystolic). The drugs may differ in their effects and benefits. With the exception of nebivolol, all of these drugs are available in generic form.
When taking beta blockers:
- Do NOT suddenly stop taking these drugs. The sudden withdrawal of beta blockers can rapidly increase heart rate and blood pressure and potentially cause angina or heart attack. If you need to stop your beta blocker, your doctor may want you to slowly decrease the dose before stopping completely.
- Beta blockers are categorized as non-selective or selective. Non-selective beta blockers, such as carvedilol and propranolol, may sometimes narrow bronchial airways. People with asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis should not use these medicines.
- These drugs can hide warning signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes. When combined with a diuretic, the risk of diabetes may increase.
- They may be less effective than other drugs for preventing stroke.
Common side effect symptoms of beta blockers include:
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Vivid dreams and nightmares
- Memory loss
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Coldness in extremities (legs, toes, arms, and hands)
- Reduced sexual drive and problems with obtaining and maintaining an erection
Check with your doctor about any side effects. Do NOT stop taking these drugs on your own.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors widen blood vessels and decrease the workload of the heart. They treat high blood pressure and can also help protect the heart and kidneys.
people with heart failure or an enlarged left ventricle, previous heart attack, diabetes, or kidney disease are considered particularly good candidates for ACE inhibitors as part of treatment for high blood pressure.
Aspirin is recommended for reducing the risk of cardiac problems in people with heart disease, and can safely be used in combination with ACE inhibitors, particularly at lower dosages of aspirin (75 - 81 mg).
Brands. ACE inhibitors include captopril (Capoten, generic), enalapril (Vasotec, generic), quinapril (Accupril, generic), benazepril (Lotensin, generic), ramipril (Altace, generic), perindopril (Aceon, generic), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, generic).
Common side effect symptoms of ACE inhibitors include:
- Low blood pressure is the main side effect of ACE inhibitors. This can be severe in some people, especially at the start of therapy.
- An irritating cough is a common side effect, which some people find intolerable.
- ACE inhibitors can harm a developing fetus and should not be used during pregnancy. Women who become pregnant should change from ACE inhibitors to another type of blood pressure drug as soon as possible. Women of child-bearing age who are considering becoming pregnant should also discuss other medications with their doctors.
- ACE inhibitors can increase potassium levels, particularly in people with kidney disease.
Uncommon Side Effects of ACE Inhibitors.
- ACE inhibitors protect against kidney disease, but they may also increase potassium retention by the kidneys. If potassium levels become extremely high (hyperkalemia), they can cause the heart to stop beating (cardiac arrest). This side effect is uncommon, except in people with significant kidney disease. Because of this risk, ACE inhibitors are not usually used in combination with potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements.
- A rare but severe side effect is granulocytopenia, an extreme reduction in infection-fighting white blood cells.
- In very rare cases, people suffer a sudden and severe allergic reaction, called angioedema that causes swelling in the eyes and mouth and may close off the throat.
People who have difficulty tolerating ACE inhibitor side effects are usually switched to an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB).
Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
ARBs, also known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, are similar to ACE inhibitors in their ability to widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure. They may have fewer or less-severe side effects than ACE inhibitors, especially coughing, and are sometimes prescribed as an alternative to ACE inhibitors. In general they are prescribed to people who cannot tolerate or did not respond to ACE inhibitors.
Brands. Losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar, generic), olmesartan (Benicar) candesartan (Atacand), telmisartan (Micardis), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), valsartan (Diovan), and azilsartan (Edarbi).
A combination medication containing candesartan and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (Diovan HCT, Atacand HCT) is also available. Exforge HCT is a triple-combination medication that combines in one pill valsartan along with the calcium-channel blocker amlodipine and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. Tribenzor combines in one pill olmesartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide.
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Raised potassium levels
- Nasal congestion
NOTE: ARBs should not be used during pregnancy.
Calcium-Channel Blockers (CCBs)
Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs), also known as calcium antagonists, help relax blood vessels. Along with diuretics, CCBs may work better than other drug classes for lowering blood pressure in African-Americans. Recent research indicates that newer types of drugs (CCBs, ACE inhibitors) may be a better treatment option for some people than older drugs (especially beta blockers).
Brands. Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), nisoldipine (Sular), nicardipine (Cardene), and nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia).
All these prescription medications are available as generics. For people who have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol, Caduet combines in one pill amlodipine and the statin drug atorvastatin.
- Swelling in the feet
- Erectile dysfunction
- Food interactions (Do NOT take CCBs with grapefruit or Seville orange products.)
Alpha blockers such as doxazosin (Cardura, generic), prazosin (Minipress, generic), and terazosin (Hytrin, generic) help widen small blood vessels. They are generally not used as first-line drugs for high blood pressure, but are prescribed if other drugs do not work or as add-on medication.
Vasodilators help open blood vessels by relaxing muscles in the blood vessel walls. These drugs are usually used in combination with a diuretic or a beta blocker. They are rarely used by themselves.
Brands. Hydralazine (Apresoline, generic), clonidine (Catapres, generic), and Minoxidil (Loniten, generic).
Some of these drugs should be used with caution or not at all in people who have angina or who have had a heart attack.
Aliskiren (Tekturna). Aliskiren (Tekturna, Amturnide) is a new kind of antihypertensive drug called a direct renin inhibitor. It blocks renin, a kidney enzyme associated with high blood pressure. Aliskiren is also available in the 2-in-1 combination pills Tekturna HCT (aliskiren and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide) and Tekamlo (aliskiren and the calcium channel blocker amlodipine). Aliskiren is prescribed either alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications. However, people with diabetes or kidney impairment should not take aliskiren along with ACE inhibitors or ARBs because of increased risk for kidney damage and other problems. Aliskiren should not be used during pregnancy as it can cause injury or death to the fetus.
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American Heart Association -- www.heart.org
American Society of Hypertension -- www.ash-us.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute -- www.nhlbi.nih.gov
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Review Date: 6/27/2013
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.