Hypertension means high blood pressure.

Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as 2 numbers. For example, 140 over 90 (written as 140/90).

• The top number is your systolic pressure, the pressure created when your heart beats. It is considered high if it is consistently over 140.

• The bottom number is your diastolic pressure, the pressure inside blood vessels when the heart is at rest. It is considered high if it is consistently over 90.

Either or both of these numbers may be too high.

Pre-hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89 on multiple readings. If you have pre-hypertension, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure at some point.

Blood pressure measurements are the result of the force of the blood produced by the heart and the size and condition of the arteries.

Many factors can affect blood pressure, including how much water and salt you have in your body, the condition of your kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels, and the levels of different body hormones.

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.

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.

Too much salt in your diet. can lead to high blood pressure. Secondary hypertension may also be due to:

• Adrenal gland tumor

• alcohol poisoning

• anxiety and stress

• Appetite suppressants

• arteriosclerosis

• Birth control pills

• Certain cold medicines

• coarctation of the aorta

• Cocaine use

• Cushing syndrome

• diabetes

• Kidney disease

• Migraine medicines

• Obesity

• Pain

• Pregnancy (called gestational hypertension)

• radiation enteritis

• renal artery stenosis

Most of the time, there are no symptoms. Symptoms that may occur include:

• Confusion

• chest pain

• Ear noise or buzzing

• Irregular heartbeat

• Nosebleed

• Tiredness

• Vision changes

The goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure so that you have a lower risk of complications.

There are many different medicines that can be used to treat high blood pressure. Such medicines include:

• Alpha blockers

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

• Beta-blockers

• Calcium channel blockers

• Central alpha agonists

• Diuretics

• Renin inhibitors, including aliskiren (Tekturna)

• Vasodilators

Medicines used if the blood pressure is very high may include:

• Clonidine

• Diazoxide

• Furosemide

• Hydralazine

• Minoxidil

• Nitroprusside

Your doctor may also tell you to exercise, lose weight, and follow a healthier diet. If you have pre-hypertension, your doctor will recommend the same lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down to normal range.

Most of the time, hypertension can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.