What kind of hypertension

It may take time for you and your doctor to work out a successful lifestyle and medication plan to lower your blood pressure. It may be inherited or related to diet and sedentary lifestyle. Also, blood pressure normally tends to increase as you age. Often, lifestyle changes can greatly improve your chances of avoiding hypertension medications and complications, including heart attack or stroke.

High blood pressure is often associated with few or no symptoms. Many people have it for years without knowing it. But what does that mean? Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. There are a variety of treatments that can help you manage your….

Learn what your blood pressure reading means. Renovascular hypertension is a serious condition that's often related to resistant hypertension.

Learn about the causes, treatments, and symptoms. Experts say the research highlights the need for healthcare professionals to encourage people to monitor their blood pressure at a younger age. Learn how diuretics can help treat high blood pressure. Find information on the risks and side effects associated with diuretics. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Types and Stages of Hypertension.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Payal Kohli, M. Stages Primary vs. Hypertension stages. Primary vs. Other types of hypertension. Hypertensive emergency. Hypertensive urgency. White coat hypertension. Hypertension treatment and management. The takeaway. Ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at age If you're age 40 or older, or you're 18 to 39 with a high risk of high blood pressure, ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading every year.

Blood pressure generally should be checked in both arms to determine if there's a difference. It's important to use an appropriate-sized arm cuff.

Your doctor will likely recommend more-frequent readings if you've already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Children age 3 and older will usually have blood pressure measured as a part of their yearly checkups.

If you don't regularly see your doctor, you may be able to get a free blood pressure screening at a health resource fair or other locations in your community. You can also find machines in some stores that will measure your blood pressure for free. Public blood pressure machines, such as those found in pharmacies, may provide helpful information about your blood pressure, but they may have some limitations.

The accuracy of these machines depends on several factors, such as a correct cuff size and proper use of the machines. Ask your doctor for advice on using public blood pressure machines. For most adults, there's no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure, called primary essential hypertension, tends to develop gradually over many years. Some people have high blood pressure caused by an underlying condition. This type of high blood pressure, called secondary hypertension, tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension.

Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension, including:. Drinking too much alcohol. Over time, heavy drinking can damage your heart. Having more than one drink a day for women and more than two drinks a day for men may affect your blood pressure. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.

One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1. Although high blood pressure is most common in adults, children may be at risk, too.

For some children, high blood pressure is caused by problems with the kidneys or heart. But for a growing number of kids, poor lifestyle habits — such as an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise — contribute to high blood pressure.

The excessive pressure on your artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels as well as your organs. The higher your blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Overview High blood pressure hypertension is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. More Information Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health? Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?

Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home? Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern? Caffeine and hypertension Can having vitamin D deficiency cause high blood pressure? Sleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure? Show more related information. More Information High blood pressure and sex High blood pressure dangers Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references High blood pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Accessed Dec. By contrast, renal denervation silences a few, targeted nerves to restore healthy blood pressure. It does so with heat energy delivered by a catheter, a thin tube threaded through an artery. This minimally invasive procedure is currently in clinical trials at medical centers nationwide. Our program is the only West Coast participant in this trial.

We take a personalized approach to treat patients with severe or refractory hypertension, and evaluate them for potential secondary or reversible forms of high blood pressure. Clinical trials evaluate new medical approaches, devices, drugs, and other treatments.

As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in open clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future.

Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future. The Stanford Hypertension Center provides comprehensive and innovative care for patients with severe or refractory hypertension, including evaluation for secondary and reversible forms of hypertension.

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Thank you for your patience. View the changes to our visitor policy » View information for Guest Services ». New to MyHealth? Manage Your Care From Anywhere. Activate Account. Create a New Account. Forgot Username or Password? Find a Doctor. Make an Appointment. Find a Clinic. Nationally recognized expertise in treating resistant hypertension and minimizing the harm it causes. Precise diagnosis to identify the type and root causes of your hypertension , including advanced home monitoring devices to track your blood pressure over a longer period of time.