Alternative Names
High blood pressure; HBP; Blood pressure – high
Definition of Hypertension
Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Many factors can affect blood pressure, including:
Symptoms
Most of the time, there are no symptoms. Symptoms that may occur include:
Signs and tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and check your blood pressure. If the measurement is high, your health care provider may think you have high blood pressure. The measurements need to be repeated over time, so that the diagnosis can be confirmed.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure so that you have a lower risk of complications. You and your health care provider should set a blood pressure goal for you.
Expectations (prognosis)
Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.
Review
A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine (5/26/2010). – 7/29/2010
