Definition:
Hypertension is blood pressure that is often higher than 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Alternative Names:
HBP; Blood pressure - high
Considerations:
Blood pressure can vary throughout the day and change with activity. A blood pressure measurement has two numbers: - The top (systolic) number is the blood pressure during the heartbeat.
- The bottom (diastolic) number is the blood pressure between beats.
According to the American Heart Association, adults should normally have a blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg. Pre-hypertension is when the top number is 120-139 mm Hg and the bottom number is over 80-89 mm Hg on most measurements. If you have pre-hypertension, you are likely to develop high blood pressure at some time in your life, unless you make lifestyle changes. High blood pressure can affect all types of people. You have a higher risk of high blood pressure if you have a family history of the disease. High blood pressure is more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Common Causes:
Most of the time, no cause is identified. This is called essential hypertension. High blood pressure that results from a specific condition, habit, or medication is called secondary hypertension. Some reasons for secondary hypertension include:
References:
Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7). Rockville, Md. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US Department of Health and Human Services; August 2004. National Institutes of Health Publication No. 04-5230. Berg AO. Screening for High Blood Pressure Recommendations and Rationale U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. USPSTF Guide to Clin Preventive Services. June 1, 2003; 1. Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo; WB Saunders; 2005:959-1007.
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