Presión arterial elevada (hipertensión) (2024)

FAQs

How long can you have high blood pressure before it causes damage? ›

In other words, once blood pressure rises above normal, subtle but harmful brain changes can occur rather quickly—perhaps within a year or two. And those changes may be hard to reverse, even if blood pressure is nudged back into the normal range with treatment.

Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.

If you have a sudden spike in blood pressure, stop all physical activity, drink some water, lie down flat, and take conscious deep breaths to make yourself calm. If your blood pressure does not come down in a few minutes, contact your physician immediately.

Blood pressure is mostly a silent disease

Unfortunately, high blood pressure can happen without feeling any abnormal symptoms. Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure.

What is the life expectancy of someone with high blood pressure? There is no concrete number for life expectancy, but research shows that while you may not live as long as someone who does not have hypertension, you can live a long life with well-controlled high blood pressure.

It is not always possible to undo the damage, but a person can manage the contributing factors. This can prevent the progression of heart disease that can lead to a heart attack. Heart disease has many risk factors. Treatments aim to reduce risk factors and improve the health of the heart and its blood vessels.

Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130 to 139 mmHg/80 to 89 mmHg. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away. A reading this high is considered “hypertensive crisis.”

If you are monitoring your blood pressure at home and notice levels regularly above 140/90 OR if you are experiencing symptoms such as severe headaches or changes in vision, contact your doctor immediately and go to the emergency room.

If you have a BP of 140/90, that is considered high blood pressure and you should discuss this with your doctor. The first thing that is usually recommended for people with high blood pressure to do is lifestyle changes such as: Maintaining a healthy weight. Consuming a healthy balanced diet low in salt.

If blood pressure becomes elevated due to dehydration, it may be possible to help lower it by drinking water. Dehydration causes the blood to have higher than normal levels of sodium. When this happens, the brain sends signals to the pituitary gland to secrete vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone.

Should I lie down if my blood pressure is high? ›

The European Society of Cardiology²¹ recommends that people lay down and take naps during midday to help lower their pressure levels. Additionally, the American College of Cardiology claims that the average systolic blood pressure drops by about 3 mm Hg²² for each hour one lays down for a nap.

Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are considered stroke-level, dangerously high, and require immediate medical attention.

Even mild forms of high blood pressure can damage kidneys over several years.

When blood pressure is high for too long, it can damage the walls of blood vessels, causing them to develop tiny tears. To fix these damaged areas, the body sends special cells that stick to the site. Over time, substances such as cholesterol and fats may also build up at these damaged spots, forming plaque.

Symptoms most often do not occur until after many years of poor blood pressure control, when damage to the heart has occurred. Eventually, the muscle may become so thick that it does not get enough oxygen.

Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130 to 139 mmHg/80 to 89 mmHg. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away.