High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): High blood pressure (hypertension) may be present in an individual, without any symptoms. Thus, it is called the "silent killer." Causes of high blood pressure include heart disease, kidney disease, tumors, birth control, alcohol, thyroid dysfunction, and birth control pills.Treatment of high blood pressure is generally through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.
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Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris is a term to describe chest pain that occurs when the heart is not getting enough blood. There are two types of angina, stable (the most common) and unstable. Stable angina generally lasts less than five minutes and is relieved by nitroglycerin tablets. Angina may be caused by heart disease, coronary artery spasm, or other causes. Risk factors for angina include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, family history, aging, and stimulant use. Treatment depends upon the cause of angina. -
Aortic Aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm is a medical emergency. Abnormal enlargement or bulging of the aorta becomes an aortic aneurysm when this area becomes weakened. Some of the symptoms of an aortic aneurysm include back pain, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Common causes of an aortic aneurysm include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammatory aneurysm, or injury to the chest wall. Treatment of aortic aneurysm depends upon the cause. -
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) describes a rapid, irregular heart rhythm. The irregular rhythm, or arrhythmia, results from abnormal electrical impulses in the heart. Atrial fibrillation may be treated with medications or surgery. There are many causes of atrial fibrillation, for example, pneumonia, heart disease, alcohol use, and thyroid problems. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include chest pain and/or angina, nausea, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Atrial fibrillation is managed and treated with medication, medical procedures, and surgery. -
Atrial Flutter
Atrial flutter is a type of arrhythmia, that is, an irregularity in the beating of the heart. Symptoms of atrial flutter include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety, weakness, and a fluttering feeling in the chest. Causes of atrial flutter include heart disease, hypertension, heart muscle disease, heart abnormalities, substances, and diseases that affect other areas of the body. Treatment of atrial flutter includes defibrillation and medication. -
Chronic Kidney Disease
Twenty percent of people over the age of 20 years will develop chronic kidney disease in their lifetime. Chronic kidney disease causes are diseases of the kidney(s), diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, Glomerulonephritis, polycystic disease, medications, and other conditions. Symptoms include; fatigue, nausea and vomiting, edema, itching, easy bruising, anemia, headaches, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, chest pain, and more. Treatment for kidney disease generally involves dialysis, or kidney transplantation depending on the condition of the person and kidney(s). -
Eclampsia
Eclampsia, a life-threatening complication of pregnancy, and results when a pregnant woman diagnosed with preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine) develops the symptoms of seizures or coma. Causes of eclampsia are unknown. Signs and symptoms of eclampsia include: High blood pressure Increased urine production Decreased kidney function Nervous system changes (severe headaches, blurred vision, seeing spots) Upper abdominal pain Treatment for is delivery of the baby. -
Heart Attack
A heart attack is an interruption in blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial plaque rupture is often the cause of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Emergency heart catheterization and thrombolytic therapy may be used to treat a heart attack. -
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a group of different types of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease depend on the cause and inclue chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. Many conditions causes heart disease, for example, genetics, obesity, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for heart disease depend on the cause and include diet and other lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, and surgery. The prognosis (outlook) and life span for someone with heart disease varies depending on the cause. -
How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Unborn Baby
High blood pressure during pregnancy is common, and it can affect both the mother and baby. It can cause preterm delivery (premature birth that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy), low birth weight (baby weighs less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth), fetal growth restriction, fetal death, and neonatal death. -
Ocular Hypertension
The term ocular hypertension usually refers to any situation in which the pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure, is higher than normal. Typically, those with ocular hypertension have any symptoms or signs. Treatment typically involves medicated eyedrops to help lower intraocular pressure. -
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD or peripheral artery disease) refers to any disease or disorder of the circulatory system outside of the brain and heart. Common causes of peripheral vascular disease include blood clots, diabetes, inflammation of the arteries, infection, structural defects, and injury. Symptoms of peripheral artery disease include buttock pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs, burning or aching pain in the feet or toes while resting, a sore on a leg or a foot that will not heal, one or both legs or feet feel cold or change color (pale, bluish, dark reddish), loss of hair on the legs, and impotence. Tests are used to diagnose peripheral vascular disease. Treatment guidelines include medication, lifestyle changes, and if necessary, surgical intervention. -
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is associated with high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia is also referred to as toxemia, or toxemia of pregnancy. The cause of preeclampsia is unknown. Symptoms of preeclampsia are high blood pressure, decrease in urine output, edema of the hands and face, rapid weight gain, and nervous system changes. Treatment of preeclampsia depends on the gestation period of the baby and the associated medical conditions of the mother. -
What Is the Main Cause of Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension, also called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a rare form of abnormally high blood pressure that affects the arteries of the lungs and the right side of the heart. Pulmonary hypertension can be life-threatening if it is left untreated. -
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is an abnormally high pressure in the pulmonary arteries leading from the heart to the lungs. Primary pulmonary hypertension has no underlying condition that has caused this condition. Secondary pulmonary hypertension is caused by other underlying conditions. Treatment depends on the cause of the underlying condition, or the condition of primary pulmonary hypertension. -
Renal Artery Stenosis
One cause of high blood pressure is renal artery stenosis. Renal artery stenosis is caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Risk factors for renal artery stenosis are smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood lipids, and diabetes. Symptoms of renal artery stenosis include fatigue, malaise, or confusion. Treatment depends upon the cause of renal artery stenosis, and the degree of damage to the kidney(s). -
Stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. When a person has a stroke, part of the blood supply to the brain is cut off or greatly decreased. There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Stroke symptoms include dizziness, sudden headache, weakness in an arm or leg on the same side, weakness in the muscles of the face, difficulty speaking, vision problems, and more. Treatment of stroke depends on the type and severity of the stroke suffered. -
What Causes Hypertension in Pregnancy
Hypertension (high blood pressure) during pregnancy can potentially cause complications. Its cause is unknown, but risk factors include first-time pregnancy, previous preeclampsia, family history of preeclampsia, multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.), in vitro fertilization, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, obesity, chronic high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and others. -
What Do High Blood Pressure Symptoms Feel Like
High blood pressure (hypertension) causes the heart to work too hard when pumping blood through the arteries, which puts a person at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, but they can include pounding headaches, vomiting, feeling of dizziness, facial flushing, feeling tired, blood spots in the eyes (subconjunctival hemorrhage). -
What Is the Main Cause of Hypertension
Sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, obesity, alcohol abuse, diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco smoking and stress may all cause high blood pressure.
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Expert Views and News
- Hypertension Worsened by Prescription Meds
- Flavanols Effective for Lowering Blood Pressure
- Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Cognitive Decline
- Antihypertensives Reduce Risk of Colorectal Cancer
- USPSTF Reaffirms Hypertension Screening Guidelines
- Healthy Habits Backslide After Starting Heart Meds
- High BP Early in Pregnancy Linked to Birth Risks
- Teva Pharmaceuticals Expands Losartan Recall
- FDA Issues Alert on Blood Pressure Drug Irbesartan
- Blood Pressure Drug May Curb Problem Drinking
- Tainted Valsartan Recall Expands
- Antihypertensive Therapy Reduces Alzheimer's
- FDA Recalls Some Valsartan Drugs Due to Impurity
- Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes With Hypertension
- Triple Low-Dose Combo Pill Success in Hypertension
- Uncontrolled Hypertension Unchanged in US Adults
- Hypertension in 40s Linked to Later Dementia
- ADA Updates for Managing Hypertension in Diabetes
- Marijuana Raises Risk of Dying From Hypertension
- Migraine Tied to Hypertension Risk in Women
- Updated Hypertension Guidelines Released
- Poor Blood-Pressure Control Puts Millions at Risk
- DASH Diet Ranks Best for Sixth Time
- Blood Pressure Meds May Cut Alzheimer's Risk
- Blood Pressure: How Low to Go?
- Drugs Not Always Best for Mild High Blood Pressure
- Studies Question Need to Watch Your Salt
- High Blood Pressure, Steroids May Worsen Lupus
- Transcendental Meditation May Lower Heart Risk
- List of 'Salty Six' Foods May Surprise You
- Heart Deaths Spike in Winter -- Despite Temperature
- What to Do Now to Lower Heart Disease Risk Later
- Elevated BP May Prematurely Age the Brain
- Study Questions the Value of Annual Physical Exams
- Death Rates Drop for 5 Top Causes of Death
- Sesame & Rice Bran Oil, Yogurt Help Blood Pressure
- Salt in Kids' Diets Linked to High Blood Pressure
- High Blood Pressure a Rising Risk for Kids, Teens
- Prediabetes Linked to Stroke Risk
- Sleep Apnea: Treatment May Help Keep BP Low
- Extra Vitamin C May Help Lower Blood Pressure
- Is There Proof Gum Disease Causes Heart Disease?
- Do Happy People Have Healthier Hearts?
- Common Cause of Dizziness May Spell Heart Trouble
- 1 Sugary Drink a Day May Raise Heart Risk
- Aspirin, Walking Can Reduce Leg Pain From Narrowed Arteries
- Diabetes, High BP During Pregnancy Increase Middle-Age Heart Risk
- Millions of Women Are Unaware They Have Arterial Disease
- Study: Even Some Vigorous Activity Boosts Kids' Heart Health
- Even a Little Air Pollution Raises Heart Attack Risk
- Some Men May Inherit a Higher Risk of Heart Disease From Dad
- Bread and Other Common Foods Top List of Sodium Culprits
- Purple Potatoes Lower Blood Pressure in Overweight People
- 1 in 2 Stroke Survivors Has High Blood Pressure
- Should Blood Pressure Be Taken in Both Arms?
- Mild Memory Problems May Be More Common in Men
- Fried Food and No Heart Disease?
- Drinking Black Tea May Lower Blood Pressure
- High-Normal Blood Pressure Raises Heart Risks in Men
- Midlife Blood Pressure Predicts Future Heart Risk
- Treating Prehypertension With Medication May Lower Stroke Risk
- Obese Kids Who Lose Weight May Cut Heart Risk, Too
- Blood Pressure Drugs at Bedtime May Cut Heart Risk
- Is High Blood Pressure Linked to Birth Defects?
- Restless Legs Syndrome May Raise BP
- Overweight Kids Risk High Blood Pressure
- Too Many Heart Patients Getting Migraine Drugs
- Simple Steps to a Healthy Heart
- Poor Sleep May Raise Blood Pressure
- Family History's Role in Heart Attack and Stroke
- High-Sodium, Low-Potassium Diet Linked to Heart Risk
- Heart Benefits From Cutting Back on Salt?
- Sleep Deprivation Plus Stress Hurts Blood Pressure
- Salty Diet Good? Heart Group Disagrees
- FDA Approves Prostate Cancer Drug Zytiga
- Death Rate Declines for Americans With Hypertension
- Wine, Salt, and Your Heart: Confusion Abounds
- Treat High Blood Pressure in Over-80s
- Kids' Future Heart Risk
- Calcium Supplements May Increase Heart Risk
- Moms May Pass Hypertension Risk to Kids
- Procedure May Lower Hard-to-Treat Hypertension
- ‘Mini-Strokes' May Increase Risk of Heart Attack
- Exercise May Cut Salt's Effect on Blood Pressure
- Heart Risk Tied to Memory Problems
- Women's Heart Risk Guidelines
- Strawberries, Blueberries May Ward Off High Blood Pressure
- Fruits and Vegetables: 5-a-Day 'Not Enough'
- NSAID Pain Relievers Raise Heart Risks
- Psoriasis, Heart Disease, and Diabetes: What's the Link?
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Topic Guide - Visuals
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
Amlodipine And ValsartanAmlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist.
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Amlodipine And AtorvastatinAmlodipine and atorvastatin is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and coronary artery disease (clo...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And QuinaprilHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). Quinapril is in an ACE inhibitor (ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme)...learn more »
PerindoprilPerindopril is an ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme...learn more »
TelmisartanTelmisartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), sometimes in combination with other blood pressure medications...learn more »
CandesartanCandesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 1 year old. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the r...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And IrbesartanHydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)...learn more »
IrbesartanIrbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Irbesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow...learn more »
ValsartanValsartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. Valsartan is sometimes given together wit...learn more »
Trandolapril And VerapamilTrandolapril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme...learn more »
TrandolaprilTrandolapril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme...learn more »
CarvedilolCarvedilol is a beta-blocker that is used to treat heart failure and hypertension (high blood pressure).
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Hydrochlorothiazide And LosartanHydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill). Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (sometimes called an ARB blocker)...learn more »
Amlodipine And BenazeprilAmlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow...learn more »
LosartanLosartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (sometimes called an ARB blocker)...learn more »
TimololTimolol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And BisoprololHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And EnalaprilHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) and enalapril is an ACE inhibitor (ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme)...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And CaptoprilHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And LisinoprilHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). Lisinopril is in an ACE inhibitor (ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme)...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And BenazeprilHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) and benazepril is an ACE inhibitor (ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme)...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And TriamtereneHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention...learn more »
PhenoxybenzaminePhenoxybenzamine is used to control blood pressure and reduce sweating in people with pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland)...learn more »
LisinoprilLisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.
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BenazeprilBenazepril is an ACE inhibitor that is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart at...learn more »
DoxazosinDoxazosin is an alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers. Doxazosin relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. I...learn more »
BisoprololBisoprolol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
AmlodipineAmlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that dilates (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow...learn more »
QuinaprilQuinapril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme...learn more »
NicardipineNicardipine is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes (widens) your blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reduces its workload...learn more »
MetolazoneMetolazone is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention...learn more »
HydrochlorothiazideHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention...learn more »
FosinoprilFosinopril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme...learn more »
FelodipineFelodipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults. Lowering blood pressure can help lower your risk...learn more »
ChlorthalidoneChlorthalidone is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention...learn more »
NitroprussideNitroprusside is a vasodilator that works by relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels to help them dilate (widen). This lowers blood pressure and allows b...learn more »
MetoprololMetoprolol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
HydralazineHydralazine is a vasodilator that works by relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels to help them dilate (widen). This lowers blood pressure and allows blo...learn more »
FurosemideFurosemide is a loop diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt. This allows the salt to instead be passed in your urine......learn more »
NifedipineNifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) or angina (chest pain)...learn more »
Verapamil (oral)Verapamil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders...learn more »
DiltiazemDiltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) or angina (chest pain)...learn more »
Clonidine (oral)Clonidine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat m...learn more »
EnalaprilEnalapril is an ACE inhibitor that is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart att...learn more »
CaptoprilCaptopril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme...learn more »
AtenololAtenolol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
Hydrochlorothiazide And MoexiprilHydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention...learn more »
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, angina, blood clot formation, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Causes of high cholesterol inclu...learn more »
Cushing Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome is a disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of corticosteroids. Causes include prolonged use of steroid medications, adrenal tu...learn more »
Obesity
More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight, including at least one in five children. Nearly one-third are obese. Obesity is on the rise in our society ...learn more »
Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure (hypotension) may be caused by
- heart conditions,
- intravascular fluid complications (learn more »
Lifestyle Cholesterol Management
Lifestyle cholesterol management is important to lower your risk for learn more »
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
The male erection is a complex process involving multiple body systems. As such, there are myriad causes for learn more »
Impotence/Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) or male impotence is defined as the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for mutually satisfactory int...
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