Hypertension

About

Causes

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

About

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What is hypertension?

Hypertension is a condition in which the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. Over time, elevated blood pressure causes damage to blood vessels, accelerates atherosclerosis (plaque buildup), and places excess strain on the heart and kidneys. If left untreated, hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and vascular complications.

Is hypertension common?

Yes. Hypertension is extremely common and often underdiagnosed. Nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and many are unaware because it frequently causes no symptoms. This is why routine screening and early detection are critical.

Can hypertension be treated?

Yes. Hypertension is very treatable. With proper lifestyle changes and, when necessary, medication, blood pressure can be well controlled and long-term cardiovascular risks can be significantly reduced.

Causes

What causes hypertension?

Hypertension may develop gradually over time or be related to an underlying condition. Common causes and contributing factors include:

  • Genetics and family history
  • High sodium (salt) intake
  • Poor diet and sedentary lifestyle
  • Obesity
  • Chronic stress
  • Diabetes or metabolic syndrome
  • Kidney disease
  • Excess alcohol consumption
  • Smoking
  • Certain medications (such as NSAIDs, steroids, and decongestants)

What are the risk factors?

Your risk may be higher if you:

  • Have a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Have diabetes, kidney disease, or sleep apnea
  • Smoke or consume excessive alcohol
  • Have high cholesterol
  • Are older than 40 years of age

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Cardiology

Your copay
Depending on insurance‍

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$169
Initial Visit
$109
Follow Up

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Symptoms

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

Hypertension is often referred to as the “silent killer” because most people experience no symptoms.

When blood pressure becomes severely elevated, symptoms may include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest discomfort
  • Blurred vision

However, relying on symptoms alone is dangerous. Regular blood pressure monitoring is the only reliable way to detect hypertension early.

Diagnosis

How is hypertension diagnosed?

‍Hypertension is diagnosed through repeated blood pressure measurements, either in a clinical setting or using home or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

Evaluation may also include:

  • Blood tests to assess kidney function, electrolytes, glucose, and cholesterol
  • Urine testing
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Echocardiogram when indicated, to evaluate heart structure and function
  • Assessment for secondary causes of hypertension in select patients
  • Accurate diagnosis often requires multiple readings over time rather than a single elevated measurement.

Treatment

How is hypertension treated?

  • Treatment follows a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach focused on both blood pressure control and overall cardiovascular risk reduction:
  • Medications (when indicated):
  • ACE inhibitors or ARBs
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics
  • Beta blockers (in select patients)
  • Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for resistant hypertension
  • Lifestyle modification:
  • Dietary changes (DASH or Mediterranean-style diet)
  • Sodium reduction
  • Regular physical activity
  • Weight loss when appropriate
  • Stress management
  • Smoking cessation
  • Limiting alcohol intake

Supportive and nutritional measures (when appropriate):

  • Potassium optimization through diet
  • Magnesium supplementation
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Vitamin D optimization

Early diagnosis, individualized treatment, and ongoing monitoring are key to preventing the long-term complications of hypertension and protecting heart, brain, and kidney health.

References

  • American Heart Association (AHA)
    Hypertension Overview, Causes, Risks, and Treatment Guidelines
    https://www.heart.org
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Facts About Hypertension in the United States
    https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure
  • 2017 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults
    Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC)
    https://www.jacc.org
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
    High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Clinical Information
    https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
  • UpToDate
    Overview of Hypertension in Adults (Evidence-based clinical resource used by physicians)
    https://www.uptodate.com
  • Mayo Clinic
    High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
    https://www.mayoclinic.org
  • ‍European Society of Cardiology (ESC) / European Society of Hypertension (ESH)Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hypertensionhttps://www.escardio.or

Medically reviewed by:

Dr. Javeed Siddiqui, MD, MPH

Dr. Siddiqui is the Chief Medical Officer at TeleMed2U responsible for clinical and technical program development as well as maintaining a thriving telemedicine practice in infectious diseases which includes specialized care of Hepatitis and HIV.

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