Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

Causes of isolated systolic hypertension include:

• Advancing age
• Abnormalities of heart valves
• Anemia - A condition in which the number of red blood cells in the blood is decreased. For further information about anemia, see Anemia.
• Thyrotoxicosis - A condition in which the body produces too much thyroid hormone.

Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

In 90 to 95 percent of people with high blood pressure, doctors do not know what causes it. High blood pressure with an unknown cause is called essential, or primary, hypertension.

Sometimes, an underlying disease or other condition is found to be the cause of the high blood pressure. This type, called secondary hypertension, only occurs in 5 to 10 percent of people with hypertension.

High blood pressure with no known cause (essential hypertension)

High blood pressure for which there is a cause (secondary hypertension)

Potential causes of high blood pressure

High Blood Pressure With No Known Cause (Essential Hypertension)

Essential hypertension is the term used when no cause can be found for the high blood pressure. Most people with high blood pressure have essential hypertension.

Researchers do know that essential hypertension tends to cluster in families, so heredity is thought to play a strong role. For example, siblings of people with high blood pressure are more likely to have high blood pressure than the general population. Essential hypertension is more common in some racial and ethnic groups, which also suggests a genetic basis.

Family members may also share environment and lifestyle habits associated with an increased risk of essential hypertension.

High Blood Pressure For Which There Is A Cause (Secondary Hypertension)

While most people with high blood pressure cannot attribute it to a specific cause, the other 5 to 10 percent of people with high blood pressure have an underlying condition that causes it.

In a few cases, high blood pressure can be attributed to a specific cause. This form of high blood pressure is called secondary hypertension, because it is secondary to something else.

In these people, treating the underlying cause can often control the high blood pressure.

Causes of secondary hypertension include:

Renal (kidney) disorders, such as:

Renal vascular disease - A disease involving the kidneys' blood vessels

Renal parenchymal disease - A variety of diseases involving kidney tissue

Endocrine disorders, such as:

Hyperaldosteronism - A clinical syndrome caused by excessive secretion of aldosterone, a hormone that influences body sodium and potassium levels

Cushing's syndrome - A group of symptoms caused by high levels of the steroid hormone cortisol.

Adrenal gland tumors

Hyperthyroidism - A condition encompassing several specific diseases of the thyroid gland in which secretion of thyroid hormone is unusually increased.

For further information about hyperthyroidism, see Hyperthyroidism.

Hyperparathyroidism - A condition caused by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone, due to disease of the parathyroid glands or chronic low serum calcium levels. This hormone plays a most important role in controlling calcium levels in the body.
Read more: http://ehealthmd.com/content/what-causes-high-blood-pressure#ixzz3mGMHFpP4

Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

Symptoms & Types

Are there hypertension symptoms? What are the complications of high blood pressure? Learn about hypertension, its symptoms, complications, and types.

Symptoms

Health Check: How Well Are You Managing Your Hypertension?

How well are you managing your hypertension? Get your WebMD Hypertension Score.

Are There High Blood Pressure Symptoms?

One of the most dangerous aspects of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. Nearly one-third of people who have hypertension don't know it. There are signs of extremely high blood pressure: Learn the signs to watch for.

Warning Signs

Hypertensive Crisis

In most cases, there are no clear warning signs of high blood pressure, but blood pressure can become dangerously high and threaten your organs and your life.

High Blood Pressure: When to Call Your Doctor

Regular visits to your doctor can help you manage hypertension. However, there may be situations that warrant a call to your doctor between visits. Learn what to watch for and when it's time to pick up the phone.

Types

Malignant Hypertension

Malignant hypertension is extremely high blood pressure that develops suddenly and rapidly and causes some type of organ damage.

Malignant Hypertension

Diagnosis & Tests

Diagnosing hypertension is important. Learn how doctors test for high blood pressure and even see a photo of how the test is done.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is often called a "silent disease" because you usually don't know you have it; there may be no outward symptoms or signs, so monitoring your blood pressure is critical.

Tests

Tests for High Blood Pressure

The only way to tell whether you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure measured with a blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer). Learn just what that entails, what your results mean, and other tests your doctor may perform.

How Is Blood Pressure Measured?

Want to know how blood pressure is measured and what a blood pressure cuff looks like? Click on the photo in this article and you'll have an idea what to expect when you get your blood pressure taken.

Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

Treatment & Care

Treating high blood pressure can take a multi-pronged approach including diet changes, medication, and exercise. Learn about hypertension treatment options here.

Treatment

Hypertension Treatment

Treatment for hypertension comes in many forms -- from lifestyle changes to medication. Learn more from this overview about how to lower blood pressure here.

High Blood Pressure and Smoking

Did you know that people who smoke are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease? Learn more and get tips on quitting -- and avoiding a relapse.

Hypertension and Stress

Left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Get tips on the warning signs of dangerous stress and learn how to reduce it, while boosting a positive outlook.

Complementary and Alternative Treatment for Hypertension

There are many types of complementary and alternative treatments believed to be effective for treating hypertension. Get the facts on your options.

High Blood Pressure Drugs

Your doctor has hundreds of different high blood pressure drugs to choose from. These medications work in a variety of ways to lower blood pressure.

Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

What You Can Do for You

Your Diet can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which is good for your heart. In fact, You stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or high blood pressure. Even if you don’t have high blood pressure, Your Diet is worth a look. It may help you lose weight because it’s a healthier way of eating. You won’t feel deprived. You’ll have lots of vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products while cutting back on fats, cholesterol, and sweets.

Cut the Salt

Too much salt causes fluids to build up in your body. This puts extra pressure on your heart. You’ll lower your sodium to either 2,300 or 1,500 milligrams a day, depending on your health, age, race, and any medical conditions. Here are some ways to cut back:

• Choose low- or no-sodium foods and condiments.
• Watch foods that are cured, smoked, or pickled.
• Limit processed foods. They're often high in sodium.
  

Get Your Grains

Eating whole grains like whole wheat breads, brown rice, whole grain cereals, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, and popcorn is a good way to get fiber. Some fiber helps lower your cholesterol and also keeps you feeling full longer. For a diet of 2,000 calories per day: Eat six to eight servings a day. One serving is a slice of bread, 1 ounce of dry cereal, or ½ cup of cooked whole wheat pasta, rice, or oatmeal (about the size of half a baseball).

Load Your Plate With Vegetables

Vegetables give you fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They don't have a lot of calories or fat -- a good recipe for controlling blood pressure. Have four to five servings of vegetables a day. That’s 1/2 cup of cooked or raw vegetables, 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables, or 1/2 cup of vegetable juice for each serving. Iffy about veggies? Start by adding a salad at lunch and dinner.

Don't Forget Fruit

Fruits offer lots of fiber and vitamins that are good for your heart. Many also have potassium and magnesium, which lower blood pressure. Have four to five servings of fruit every day. One serving is a medium apple or orange, or 1/2 cup of frozen, fresh, or canned fruit. One-half cup of fruit juice or 1/4 cup of dried fruit also counts as a serving. Try adding bananas or berries to your breakfast cereal or have fruit for dessert.

Have Some Yogurt

Low- and no-fat dairy foods are good sources of calcium and protein, which can help maintain a healthy blood pressure. Try to get three servings of dairy every day. Choose skim or 1% milk, buttermilk, and low- or no-fat cheeses and yogurt. Frozen low-fat yogurt is OK, too. One serving equals 1 cup of yogurt or milk, or 1 1/2 ounces of cheese -- about the size of three dice.

Go for Lean Meats and Fish

You can still eat meat. Just make sure it’s lean. Meats are good sources of protein and magnesium. Skinless chicken and fish are also on the menu. Limit your servings to six or fewer a day. A serving is 1 ounce of cooked meat, fish, or poultry, or one egg. A good rule is to have no more than 3 ounces of meat at a meal -- the size of an iPhone. Limit egg yolks to no more than four in a week.

Add Nuts and Legumes

Nuts, legumes, and seeds are rich in magnesium, protein, and fiber. Walnuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help lower your risk of heart disease. Enjoy as many as five servings of these foods each week. That’s 1/3 cup of nuts, 2 tablespoons of seeds, or a 1/2 cup of cooked dried beans or peas in each serving. Grab a handful of seeds or nuts as a snack. Or add beans to your salads or soups.

Cut Back on Fats and Oils

Eating too many fats can cause high cholesterol and heart disease. You’ll limit fats and oils to two to three servings a day. A serving is 1 teaspoon of margarine or vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise, or 2 tablespoons of low-fat salad dressing. When cooking, use vegetable oils like olive or canola instead of butter.

Watch the Sweets

You don't have to skip all sweets. But you should try to have five or fewer servings a week. That’s 1 tablespoon of sugar or jam, 1 cup of lemonade, or 1/2 cup of sorbet at a time. Choose sweets that are low in fat, such as gelatin, hard candy, or maple syrup. Instead of high-fat desserts, try having fresh fruit over low-fat ice cream.

Get Enough Potassium

Potassium is another important part of Your diet. Getting enough of this mineral may help lower your blood pressure. It's best to get potassium from food instead of supplements. Aim for 4,700 milligrams (mg) a day. Try these potassium-rich foods:

• Potato: 926 mg
• Sweet potato: 540 mg
• Banana: 420 mg
• Avocado (1/2): 345 mg
• Cooked spinach (1/2 cup): 290 mg
  

Getting Started on DASH

It isn’t hard to follow, but you’ll have to make some changes. Start by keeping a food diary for a few days and see how your diet stacks up. Then start making changes. You’ll aim for around 2,000 calories a day. It may vary some depending on your body and how active you are. Ask your doctor for advice.