Symptoms and diagnosis

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when the force of blood against artery walls is too high. Symptoms can include:

• A pounding or thumping feeling in your chest.
• Shortness of breath, which might be more noticeable at night.
• Micraturia (small amount of urine), which may cause you to urinate frequently during the day and at night.
• Chest pain or discomfort that's not relieved by resting

Diagnosis is usually made when blood pressure is measured.

Types of hypertension

There are two main types:

• Primary (essential) hypertension, which is when there is no known cause.
• Secondary (target organ) hypertension, which is caused by an underlying medical condition such as kidney disease or sleep apnea.

Risk factors

There are several things that can increase your risk of high blood pressure:

• Age (40+ years)
• Eating too much sodium in the diet
• Being inactive
• Lack of physical activity
• Dietary factors such as being overweight or obese, drinking alcohol excessively, and smoking
• Certain medications such as birth control pills, steroids, and certain antidepressants
• Family history (if your parents or siblings have high blood pressure)
• Certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, sleep apnea, and adrenal gland disorders
• Pregnancy or childbirth (during pregnancy, the body produces more hormones that can raise blood pressure)

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

Blood pressure is usually checked when you go to see your doctor, but you can also purchase a blood pressure monitor to use at home. This will help to identify the condition early on. If you have been told you have high blood pressure, it’s very important to take the medicines your provider ordered for you. Keeping your blood pressure under control is a key factor in preventing hypertensive heart disease. You have the power to make healthy changes in your life for a healthy heart.