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High Blood Pressure information center

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To obtain a personalized treatment report, you will need to complete a questionnaire. Expect to spend from 8 to 15 minutes answering questions.

If you don't have time now to complete the questionnaire but still want information about your treatment options, go to the Quick Look Chart.

	Personal Treatment Evaluation
	Tip: You may get more out of your evaluation if you have relevant medical information handy, such as current medications, prescription drug dosages and lab test results.

	Quick Look
	This chart rates treatment options according to general effectiveness, ease of use, side effects and safety. Be sure to visit again to complete the questionnaire and obtain your personalized evaluation.

	Frequently Asked Questions
	Does treating high blood pressure make a difference? Does treating high blood pressure make a difference? When blood pressure is high, the heart is constantly having to pump blood into a high pressure system. This increases the work the heart must do over a period of years and places a tremendous strain on the heart. Treating high blood pressure can protect both the heart and the blood vessels through which the blood is pumped,as well as other organs, particularly the brain and the kidneys. Better treatment of high blood pressure over the past 30 years has resulted in a decrease in death from heart disease by over 50% and a 50% decrease in the number of people who have a stroke. Still, more than 70% of those with high blood pressure receive inadequate blood pressure treatment, or no treatment at all.

	Do I have high blood pressure? Do I have high blood pressure? Blood pressure is recorded with two measurements. The systolic blood pressure (higher number) is measured when the heart is pumping; the diastolic blood pressure (lower number) is measured in between heart pumps (when the heart is at rest). The systolic blood pressure is always higher than the diastolic blood pressure. In patients with high blood pressure, either the systolic, diastolic, or both measurements can be high. Blood pressure is usually checked at least three times to determine an average result before a diagnosis is made. National guidelines categorize blood pressure as follows: Systolic blood pressure categories: Normal blood pressure: less than 120 mmHg Borderline or (pre-hypertension) blood pressure: 120-139 mmHg Stage one hypertension (somewhat high): 140-159 mmHg Stage two hypertension (very high): 160 mmHg or above Diastolic blood pressure categories: Normal: less than 80 mmHg Pre-hypertension (borderline): 80-89 mmHg Stage one hypertension (high): 90-99 mmHg Stage two hypertension (very high): 100 mmHg or above

	What are my chances of developing high blood pressure? What are my chances of developing high blood pressure? With an increasing lifespan, it is expected that the majority of people in the United States will have high blood pressure during their senior years. High blood pressure is more common in certain ethnic groups such as African- Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics. According to the Framingham Heart Study, as many as ninety percent of individuals will eventually develop high blood pressure during their lifetime if they live long enough. More than 60% of adults in the United States are expected to use blood pressure lowering medications sometime during their lifetime. Fortunately, methods to treat blood pressure have been improving, and newer and better treatments are available each year.

	What if the blood pressure readings I take at home are different from the ones taken in the doctor's office? What if the blood pressure readings I take at home are different from the ones taken in the doctor's office? Blood pressure measurements can be higher in the doctor's office than they are at home. Doctors have called this "white coat hypertension", when the patient's blood pressure "shoots up" upon entering the doctor's office. Sometimes doctors will ask a patient to have his or her blood pressures taken at home when they suspect that the blood pressure may only be high when the patient is nervous in their office. Some experts think that "white coat hypertension" may represent an early stage of blood vessel problems, and recommend close follow-up with frequent blood pressure checks.

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NOTE: Just because a drug or combination of drugs can cause a symptom does not mean it is actually causing your symptom. Symptoms can be caused by medical conditions as well. Make sure that your physician is aware of any symptoms you are experiencing so he/she can work with you to determine the cause. Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that the information DoubleCheckMD.com provides is intended to help individuals to work with their medical professionals and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical or healthcare advice and serves to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of a healthcare professional. In all cases individuals should consult with a physician before taking any action based on DoubleCheckMD feedback including, but not limited to ceasing taking any drug, changing diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The information provided by DoubleCheckMD.com is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that the use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective.