High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition in which the force of blood hitting the walls of the arteries over a long period of time is so high that it eventually causes health problems such as heart disease. Blood pressure depends on the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the resistance put up by the arteries. The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure. Blood pressure is given in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). It consists of two numbers.

Horní číslo (systolický tlak). První nebo horní číslo měří tlak v tepnách při tlukotu srdce.

Nižší číslo (diastolický tlak). Druhé, nižší číslo měří tlak v tepnách mezi údery srdce.

What causes high blood pressure? Common factors that can lead to high blood pressure include: a diet high in salt, fat and/or cholesterol. Chronic illnesses such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes and high cholesterol. Family history, especially if parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure. Symptoms of high blood pressure If your blood pressure is very high, you may have certain symptoms to watch out for, including:

• Strong headaches
• Nosebleeds
• Fatigue or confusion
• Sight problems
• Breathing difficulties
• Regular heartbeat
• Blood in urine
• Pounding in the chest, neck or ears

People sometimes feel that other symptoms may be related to high blood pressure, but this may not be the case:

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• Nervousness
• Sweating
• Problems with falling asleep
• Redness in the face
• Blood spots in the eyes

When to see a doctor If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. It may be a hypertensive crisis, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. You may also have other serious health problems. High blood pressure does not usually cause headaches or nosebleeds. However, it can happen in a hypertensive crisis when the blood pressure is higher than 180/120. If your blood pressure is extremely high and you have these symptoms, rest for 5 minutes and check yourself again. If your blood pressure is still extremely high, this is a medical emergency. Call 911. It is important to note that high blood pressure usually does not manifest itself with any symptoms. Therefore, everyone should get checked regularly. The American Heart Association recommends that adults with normal blood pressure have it checked annually during routine doctor visits. You can also check it at health fairs or other places in your community. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may advise you to check it more often at home. Home monitors may work better than devices in stores. Your doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes and medications to lower your blood pressure. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious illnesses, including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and eye problems. How do you feel when you have high blood pressure? Blood pressure is mostly a silent disease Unfortunately, high blood pressure can occur without experiencing unusual symptoms. Mild to severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, heart palpitations or a throbbing sensation in the throat are some symptoms of high blood pressure.