Hypertension, high blood pressure

Overview

Hypertension means that the blood pressure is consistently too high. Quite often, the cause is unknown and there are no symptoms, but consistently high blood pressure causes damage to various organs. A healthy lifestyle and sufficient exercise can prevent high blood pressure.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

• High blood pressure usually doesn't cause symptoms and often goes unnoticed for a long time
• High blood pressure is diagnosed if the following pressure ranges are exceeded (e.g. self-measurement at home):
• Systolic pressure (upper number) > 140 mmHg
• Diastolic pressure (lower number) > 90 mmHg

Other symptoms

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Chest pressure
• Frequent nosebleeds

Complications

High pressure on the blood vessels will damage various bodily organs over time. Possible consequences include:

• Narrowing of the coronary arteries
• Heart attack
• Shortness of breath
• Reduced circulation, e.g. in the legs
• Stroke and dementia
• Kidney damage
• Impaired vision

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
• Kidney disease (the kidneys help to regulate blood pressure)
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Overweight, insufficient exercise
• Smoking, alcohol, drugs
• Family predisposition
• Advancing age
• Psychological stress

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Regular monitoring of blood pressure
• Blood pressure measurement over 24 hours
• Blood test (e.g. measurement of kidney function, blood sugar)
• Chest x-ray
• ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Ultrasound (echocardiogram)

Possible therapies

• Regular exercise
• Stop smoking, avoid alcohol
• Mediterranean diet (lots of vegetables, salad, fruit and fish)
• Hypertension medication

What can I do myself?

• Avoid being overweight
• Stop smoking
• Limit alcohol intake (max. 1 glass of wine per day)
• Low-salt diet
• Mediterranean diet (lots of vegetables, salad, fruit and fish)
• Regular exercise
• Relaxation to reduce stress

Get a personal Preventive Care Recommendation now.

When to see a doctor?

• Blood pressure measurement is repeatedly too high
• Frequent headaches and dizziness
• Chest tightness

Further information

Swiss Heart Foundation (Schweizerische Herzstiftung)
www.swissheart.ch/de

Synonyms

Hypertension, high blood pressure, high blood pressure, blood pressure