People with an average blood pressure reading of more than 140/90 have high blood pressure. This section of the eMedTV library explains high blood pressure in detail, including types, causes, and treatment options.
Risk factors, as this eMedTV resource explains, are not actual high blood pressure causes. However, they can increase a person's chance of developing hypertension. Other possible high blood pressure causes include obesity, smoking, and diabetes.
In most cases, it takes several years for hypertension to cause noticeable high blood pressure symptoms. This page on the eMedTV site describes symptoms of high blood pressure in more detail, such as nausea, dizziness, and lightheadedness.
This eMedTV page describes the process of taking blood pressure readings, including the devices used. When taking blood pressure readings, it's important to get at least two readings -- taken at least two minutes apart -- and average the results.
Lifestyle changes that may help in controlling high blood pressure include losing weight and reducing salt intake. This eMedTV page provides other suggestions for controlling high blood pressure, such as drinking less alcohol and exercising more.
This section of the eMedTV library identifies the different types of blood pressure medicine and explains how they help treat hypertension, including ACE inhibitors, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, and beta blockers.
The effects of high blood pressure are most often felt in the brain, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels. This page on the eMedTV website describes the effects of high blood pressure on these vital organs in more detail.
This eMedTV article highlights the effects high blood pressure has on health. For example, studies on high blood pressure and health have shown that preventing hypertension reduces the chances of developing serious conditions, such as stroke.
High blood pressure prevention strategies include following a healthy diet, drinking less alcohol, and exercising. This eMedTV article highlights the benefits of high blood pressure prevention methods in reducing the risk of conditions like stroke.
As this eMedTV article explains, combining foods that lower blood pressure can have the same effect as blood pressure medicine. The DASH diet contains foods that lower blood pressure, such as whole grains, fish, and vegetables.
This eMedTV page explains the link between exercise and high blood pressure reduction. For example, studies on exercise and high blood pressure reduction show that 30 minutes 3 days a week is enough exercise to bring about a drop in blood pressure.
There are both good and bad effects from drinking alcohol, and blood pressure can be adversely effected, as this eMedTV page explains. While moderate drinking may be fine, alcohol can increase side effects of blood pressure medicine.
Does smoking cause high blood pressure? While smoking does not cause high blood pressure directly, as this eMedTV article explains, people who smoke are at an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
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