What to do when you have high blood pressure?

The first step is the doctor once you have high blood pressure is to see a doctor, who will ask you for your history and also do a physical exam.

Also, the nurse or other physician assistant will place an inflatable cuff around your arm and will measure blood pressure with a tensiometer to confirm the state of the space.

Moreover, blood pressure should generally be measured in both arms to determine if there is a difference. It is important to wear the correct size cuff.

Here are some recommendations according to the Mayo Clinic

blood pressure measurements

Blood pressure measurements fall into several categories:

• Normal blood pressure: if your blood pressure is normal if it is below 120/80 mm Hg.
• Elevated blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure between 120 and 129 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure below (not above) 80 mm Hg. ​

On the other hand, high blood pressure tends to get worse over time unless steps are taken to control it. However, high blood pressure can also be called prehypertension.

Stages of hypertension

• Stage 1 hypertension: This is a systolic blood pressure between 130 and 139 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
• Stage 2 hypertension: The most severe hypertension is a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
• ​Hypertensive crisis: A blood pressure above 180/120 mm Hg is an emergency situation requiring urgent medical attention.

If the patient gets this result while taking blood pressure medication at home, wait a few minutes before retesting.

If your blood pressure is still high, you should see a doctor right away.

If the patient also has chest pain, vision problems, numbness or weakness, breathing problems, or any signs or symptoms of a stroke or heart attack, urgently call 911 or your local 911 medical number.

Difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure​

Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important. But after 50, the systolic measurement is even more important.

​Isolated systolic hypertension is a disorder in which the diastolic blood pressure is normal (below 80 mm Hg), pbut your systolic blood pressure is high (greater than or equal to 130 mm Hg). This is a common type of high blood pressure among people over the age of 65.

Because high blood pressure normally fluctuates throughout the day and can rise during a doctor’s visit (white coat hypertension), Your doctor will likely take several blood pressure readings at three or more individual appointments before diagnosing high blood pressure..

Studies to detect high blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend tests to confirm the diagnosis and check for underlying conditions that can cause high blood pressure.

• outpatient monitoring. This 24-hour blood pressure monitoring test is used to confirm if you have high blood pressure. The device used for this test measures blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24-hour period and provides a more accurate picture of changes in blood pressure over the course of an average day and night. However, these devices are not available in all medical centers.
• Laboratory analysis. Your doctor may recommend a urinalysis (urinalysis) and blood tests, including a cholesterol test.
• ​Electrocardiogram (ECG). This quick and painless test measures the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echocardiogram: Based on your signs and symptoms and test results, your doctor may order an echocardiogram to check for additional signs of heart disease. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce pictures of the heart.
• ​Blood pressure monitoring at home: Your doctor may ask you to record your blood pressure at home to get more information and confirm if you have high blood pressure.

On the other hand, the American Heart Association does not recommend devices that measure blood pressure on the wrist or finger because they may give less reliable results.

blood pressure medications

The type of medication your doctor prescribes for high blood pressure depends on your blood pressure ranges and overall health. Two or more blood pressure medications often work better than one. Sometimes finding the most effective drug or combination is a matter of trial and error.

The blood pressure treatment goal should be below 130/80 mm.

Medications used to treat high blood pressure include diuretics which help the kidneys remove sodium and water from the body. These drugs are often the first to be tried to treat high blood pressure.

A common side effect of diuretics is increased urination, which could lower potassium levels.