What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

High blood pressure is a serious health condition that often gets overlooked. Dubbed the “silent killer,” high blood pressure puts individuals at a higher risk of many health problems, including heart disease and strokes. 

In the United States, it’s estimated that 48.1% of Americans have high blood pressure. Many of them are unaware of their diagnosis.

This article covers what high blood pressure is, what it can lead to, and how to tell if you have it or are at risk of high blood pressure. We’ll also identify a few ways to manage high blood pressure through medications and lifestyle adjustments. 

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood coursing through your blood vessels is too high. This can damage your blood vessels, such as your veins, arteries, and capillaries. 

As your blood vessels become more damaged, your body will send extra energy to the damaged spots to try to heal them. But over time, fats and cholesterol may build up in your blood vessels as plaque. 

The process of plaque building up is called atherosclerosis. This plaque buildup further worsens blood pressure as blood vessels become narrower, and the body has to use more force to get blood to where it needs to go.

These blockages and narrowing of blood vessels cause and worsen high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a long-term condition that often does not show symptoms until it has progressed to a potentially endangering level. This is why high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer."

Prolonged and unmanaged high blood pressure can lead to numerous circulatory system problems, including:

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Kidney damage

• Vascular dementia

• Vision problems

• Heart attack

• Sexual dysfunction

But how do you know if you have high blood pressure? 

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers that show different types of force on the circulatory system. The top number, or systolic pressure, measures the pressure of your heart pumping blood through your arteries. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart rests between beats. 

Below, we've included the standard blood pressure chart to help you identify if you're in the healthy range or not.

High Blood Pressure Chart

The only way to know where you fall on this chart is to get your blood pressure measured. You can do this at home, but it’s recommended that you see your primary care doctor for accurate results and advice. 

There are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure until the condition progresses, so it is impossible to know if you have it without a test. In fact, it’s estimated around 11 million Americans who have high blood pressure are unaware of their condition. 

Who Is At Risk of High Blood Pressure?

Anyone can develop high blood pressure; however, several factors increase your risk of developing the condition. 

It's also worth noting that there are two main types of hypertension. One of these is secondary hypertension, which is when an individual's blood pressure is elevated due to another underlying medical condition like kidney disease.

The other is essential, or primary, hypertension, which is the most common cause of high blood pressure. This is diagnosed when no other detectable underlying medical conditions contribute to elevated blood pressure. 

High blood pressure can be worsened and influenced by several risk factors, including:

• Sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise is a key part of maintaining a healthy body. When you exercise, you're training your body to pump blood more efficiently. When you're not getting the movement you need in your day, your body's ability to pump blood and clear out toxins decreases. 

• Drug or alcohol use. Stimulant drug use, cigarettes, or regular alcohol use can raise your blood pressure.

• Genetic predispositions. Some genes are linked to high blood pressure. If you have a family history of high blood pressure, you may fall into this category.

• Age. As you get older, your body's ability to regulate blood pressure decreases. It's especially important for older adults to track and manage their blood pressure.

• Poor diet. Eating foods with excessive salt can increase blood pressure. A diet that's low in potassium can also negatively impact your blood pressure, as potassium can help regulate sodium levels. In general, try to include heart-healthy foods in your day-to-day eating habits while eliminating ultra-processed foods.

• Sleeping habits. Individuals who don't get enough rest may also be at higher risk for high blood pressure. When we don't get the rest we need, our bodies have trouble regulating our hormones, which often elevates stress and leads to higher blood pressure.

• High stress. Those who experience chronic or prolonged stress often live in a constantly elevated state with high adrenaline. Over time, this also increases your risk of high blood pressure.

• Medical conditions. Individuals with conditions like diabetes or those who have kidney or heart problems may also be more likely to develop high blood pressure. Conditions like diabetes affect the bloodstream, causing a build-up of particles in our blood vessels. This makes it harder for your body to pump blood, therefore leading to high blood pressure. 

How To Manage High Blood Pressure

Managing high blood pressure can look different for everyone, but the best ways to control and reduce your blood pressure are lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and medications. 

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Hypertension

You've heard it before: get enough sleep, get your exercise in, and reduce stress. Doctors are a broken record about these changes because they truly do positively impact your life. 

As we covered earlier, things like leading a sedentary lifestyle, poor sleeping habits, and high stress can greatly increase your risk of high blood pressure. 

But what exactly do you need to do to improve your chances? And more importantly, what can you do if you already have high blood pressure?

Luckily, the exercise requirements aren't intensive. In fact, something like cardio or aerobics can be great for your physical health. Activities like yoga, walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or dancing are strongly recommended.

As for sleep, that can be a little more tricky. Often, sleep eludes us when we need it and want it the most. Some recommendations to improve sleep include:

• Create a dedicated sleep space. Try not to do any other activities in your sleeping space; this includes reading a book or going on your phone. Creating a dedicated sleep space may trick your brain into associating it with only sleep, not other restful activities.

• Stick to a schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day will help your body maintain a rhythm and may make it easier to fall asleep.

• Avoid napping. The beloved afternoon nap can directly impact your ability to sleep. Instead of napping, try to do a restful activity like reading a book, meditating, or yoga. If you absolutely need to nap, try to take it earlier in the day. 

• Watch what you drink and eat. Going to bed on an empty or overly full stomach will negatively impact your sleep. Drinking alcohol or caffeine right before bed can also decrease the quality of sleep you get, as well as make it harder to stay asleep.

Dietary Changes to Manage Hypertension

Diet is an essential part of high blood pressure management. As we covered earlier, it's important to avoid high levels of salt, but that's not the only area you need to be aware of. 

To manage high blood pressure, you'll need to include more heart-healthy foods in your diet and eliminate junk foods. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables should be your go-to. 

You'll want to start cooking more at home meals, and start avoiding ready-made meals. Avoiding processed foods is important because many food producers use excessive sodium for taste. The same meal in frozen, ready-made form could have several times more sodium in it than if you cooked the food yourself. 

If you or your loved one is struggling with diet management and high blood pressure, please consult your doctor or a dietitian for professional advice. These professionals can help you create a meal plan that manages your blood pressure and leaves you excited to eat your next meal. 

Medications for High Blood Pressure

Managing high blood pressure often involves a mix of lifestyle changes and medication. While some people can control their blood pressure with one drug, others may need a combination. 

Doctors will assess your health and may prescribe multiple medications, like a diuretic to reduce fluid, a beta-blocker to slow the heart, and an ACE inhibitor or ARB to relax blood vessels. 

These medications work together to lower blood pressure and prevent complications. Adjustments may be needed as your doctor fine-tunes the treatment plan based on your response.

Recap: Why Should You Care About High Blood Pressure?

Many older adults face high blood pressure along with other chronic health conditions. Proper medication management, dietary requirements, and lifestyle changes are essential to maintaining health and quality of life while living with hypertension.

Caregivers play a crucial role in helping older adults manage high blood pressure. If you're looking for quality caregivers or long-term care facilities for a family member, then LTC News's Long-Term Care Directory can help. 

This tool can help you sort through thousands of caregivers, home health agencies, adult day care centers, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes so you can find the best care options for someone you love.

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LTC News strives to provide you with the latest information on caregiving, long-term care, and Long-Term Care Insurance. Here are a few other resources you may be interested in:

• What Is Kidney Disease & How to Care for a Loved One with Kidney Disease – Kidney disease and high blood pressure are related, as both conditions worsen each other. If you or someone you love is struggling with kidney disease, this article can offer useful advice on managing the condition. 

• Living Good and Feeling Good in Your Golden Years - Things You Can Do Now – Lifestyle is one of the greatest factors in determining if you will develop high blood pressure. This article can help you discover new ways to keep your lifestyle in check as you age.