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Of the 30% of adults in the U.S. with hypertension, about 1 in 3 probably don’t know it.

Hypertension usually has no obvious symptoms – the only way of knowing if you have hypertension is to get your blood pressure checked.

Knowing your risk for high blood pressure is the first step in preventing hypertension – deCODEme calculates your genetic risk

Genetic risk is a significant factor in hypertension

Knowing your risk for high blood pressure is the first step in preventing hypertension. Once people have developed hypertension, it is a lifelong disease that can usually be controlled but not cured. Knowing your genetic risk of hypertension can increase your awareness of your overall risk of high blood pressure and motivate you to make the lifestyle changes that can help prevent hypertension.

An essential preventive measure is knowing your blood pressure

High blood pressure most often has no obvious symptoms. Therefore many people may have high blood pressure or hypertension without knowing it. It is estimated that of the 30% of adults in the U.S. with hypertension, one in three are not aware of it. If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked in a while, start your preventive efforts by making an appointment with your doctor or other health care provider. Whether you have high blood pressure or not, you should aim to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Based on your risk profile, your doctor can advise you how frequently you should have your blood pressure checked.

Most cases of hypertension can be prevented or controlled with lifestyle changes

• Control your weight – being overweight contributes significantly to high blood pressure. Losing weight will reduce the strain on your heart, and for some people, weight loss alone will cause blood pressure to drop.
• Exercise – Regular physical activity can help prevent hypertension, obesity and can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Regular physical activity is defined by the American Heart Association as moderate to vigorous exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most or all days of the week.
• Moderate the salt (sodium) in your diet – high levels of dietary sodium can increase blood pressure. Try to avoid salty foods and using too much additional salt in your meals. Read the nutritional labels, especially on canned and pre-packed meals. They often include a higher amount of sodium than you might expect.
• Eat a heart healthy diet – rich in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain high-fiber foods according to American Heart Association recommendations.
• Reduce alcohol intake – Studies have shown that alcohol intake beyond moderation can increase blood pressure. Limit your alcohol consumption to help prevent or control hypertension.
• If you smoke – stop! Long-term smoking induces arterial stiffness which contributes to higher blood pressure. Short-term, the substances inhaled in tobacco smoke may elevate the blood pressure level by 5 to 10 mm Hg during the day.
• Manage stress – Contrary to popular belief, hypertension can develop even in the most relaxed people. Since stress releases hormones that can temporarily increase blood pressure, people with hypertension should try to manage stress. Try relaxing for short periods during your workday, at night and on weekends, to help lower your blood pressure. Getting enough exercise can also help manage stress and reduce hypertension at the same time.
• Women who are pregnant or taking oral contraceptives – Some women who have never had high blood pressure develop it during pregnancy. Similarly, a woman taking oral contraceptives is more likely to develop high blood pressure if she is overweight, has had high blood pressure during pregnancy, has a family history of high blood pressure or has mild kidney disease.

Treatment of hypertension has been shown to prevent cardiovascular diseases and to extend and enhance life

Hypertension treatment involves lifestyle changes and medication

Hypertension is a chronic disease, meaning that it cannot be cured. However, it can in most cases be controlled. The goal of treatment is to maintain a blood pressure of no more than 120/80 mmHg. It should be noted that the blood pressure goals your doctor sets may vary according to your age, gender, and general health.

Lifestyle changes are a recommended treatment in all hypertension cases

Treatment for high blood pressure almost always involves lifestyle changes and possibly drug therapy. All patients with blood pressure readings greater than 120/80 are encouraged to make lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthier diet, quitting smoking and getting more exercise. If these strategies do not suffice to lower the blood pressure, treatment with medication is recommended to achieve a blood pressure lower than 140/90 mmHg. For patients who have diabetes or chronic kidney disease the recommended blood pressure is lower than 130/80 mmHg.

Some patients may need more than one medication to lower their blood pressure

There are several types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. Diuretics are usually recommended as the first line of therapy. If one type of diuretic doesn’t work or causes unacceptable side-effects, then other types are available. For people with certain other medical problems, medication other than a diuretic may be chosen as the first line of therapy. For example, ACE inhibitors are often selected for people with hypertension and diabetes. If people have severe hypertension, their doctors may consider using a combination of drugs to lower their blood pressure. Some common classes of anti-hypertensive medications often used to treat high blood pressure are:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers
• Diuretics
• Beta-blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Vasodilators

Hypertension is a chronic disease – a lifetime of follow-up is needed

Although hypertension cannot be cured, it can be controlled, and for most people, a combination of lifestyle changes and medications will keep their blood pressure levels within a healthy range. Even when individuals suffering from hypertension have reached their blood pressure goals, they should nonetheless continue to see their doctor or healthcare provider regularly.

More information

For more information on living with high blood pressure, talk to your doctor or visit the following web-sites:

• Living with high blood pressure – National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
• The American Heart Association´s HeartHub – All about Blood pressure

This content was last reviewed on February 22, 2011.

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