You can feel completely healthy – and still have high blood pressure. That is precisely one of the specific characteristics of hypertension: it often causes no noticeable symptoms for a long time, but can still place a strain on the heart and blood vessels.
What do the two blood pressure numbers actually mean? At what point are values considered high? And why does a single measurement not tell us very much? An overview of blood pressure, correct measurement, and the most important influencing factors.
Blood pressure describes the pressure with which blood flows through the arteries. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Two values are always displayed.
Blood pressure is not constant. Physical activity, stress, excitement, time of day, and other factors can temporarily change it. Therefore, a reliable diagnosis cannot be derived from a single measurement.
The decisive factor is, first of all, where and how the blood pressure is measured. In the case of repeated measurements in a doctor's office of 140/90 mmHg or higher, this is generally referred to as high blood pressure or hypertension.
For measurements at home, the corresponding threshold is lower: here, average values of 135/85 mmHg or higher are considered elevated. Different thresholds also apply to a 24-hour blood pressure monitoring compared to a measurement in a doctor's practice.
Health risk does not suddenly start at one single number. Today, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk are increasingly viewed in context. Therefore, age, existing medical conditions, and further risk factors also play a role in medical assessment.
High blood pressure often causes no characteristic symptoms. Therefore, you can feel fine even if your values have been elevated for a long time.
However, persistently high blood pressure strains the vessel walls and increases the workload on the heart. In the long term, this increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as heart failure and kidney damage, among other things.
This is exactly why regular measurement is so important: high blood pressure cannot be reliably detected by how you feel.
In the vast majority of those affected, no single cause can be identified. Experts then refer to it as primary or essential hypertension. In this case, various factors work together – including genetic predisposition, age, and lifestyle.
Less commonly, high blood pressure is the result of another condition or a specific cause. This can include, for example, kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or sleep apnea. In such cases, it is called secondary hypertension.
Measuring blood pressure looks simple – but conditions can significantly influence the result. For self-measurement, you should first sit quietly for a few minutes. Do not speak during the measurement and try not to move.
The cuff must match the arm circumference and be applied correctly. The arm should rest in a relaxed position on a surface so that the cuff or measuring point is roughly at heart level.
With the first self-measurement, it may be useful to measure on both arms. If consistently different values are found, this should be discussed with a medical professional.
Some people have higher blood pressure values in the doctor's office than at home. Excitement or tension can temporarily cause blood pressure to rise. This phenomenon is known as white-coat hypertension.
Conversely, values in the practice can be unremarkable, while they are elevated outside the practice. Therefore, home measurements or 24-hour blood pressure monitoring can provide additional information in unclear situations.
In addition to age and genetic predisposition, various lifestyle factors can influence blood pressure. These include diet, physical activity, body weight, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
In terms of diet, salt intake plays a particular role. A large part of our salt intake comes not from the salt shaker, but from processed foods. A varied diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole-grain products, as well as conscious consumption of highly salty foods, are among the general recommendations.
Regular physical activity is also an important part of a heart-conscious lifestyle. If you are overweight, weight reduction can have a beneficial effect on blood pressure. Restrained alcohol consumption and quitting smoking are also part of cardiovascular prevention.
Lifestyle changes are not a substitute for prescribed medical treatment. Which measures are sensible in an individual case depends, among other things, on the blood pressure values and the overall cardiovascular risk.
Whether medication is additionally necessary is not based solely on a single blood pressure figure. Doctors take into account, among other things, the level of the values, the overall cardiovascular risk, and potential comorbidities.
If blood pressure-lowering medication is prescribed, regular intake is important. The medication should not be discontinued on your own, changed in dosage, or replaced with other remedies. Even if the measured values are normal again, this may be precisely the result of effective treatment.
"If I had high blood pressure, I would notice."
Usually not. High blood pressure often causes no characteristic symptoms for a long time. A measurement is therefore much more informative than your own feelings.
"A single high value means I have high blood pressure."
No. Blood pressure fluctuates and can temporarily rise due to excitement or physical exertion, for example. Repeated measurements or further diagnostic methods are decisive for a diagnosis.
"If the medication works and my blood pressure is normal, I can stop taking it."
Not on your own. Normal values can be a sign that the treatment is working. Changes to medication should always be discussed with your treating physician.
"High blood pressure is just normal as you get older."
While blood pressure often changes as you get older, persistently high values should still be medically evaluated and not attributed to age alone.
An unusually high measurement without symptoms should first be re-checked under calm conditions and, if values remain persistently high, be medically clarified.
If symptoms such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden paralysis, speech disorders, confusion, or other acute severe symptoms occur, medical help should be requested immediately via the emergency number 144.
High blood pressure is often not noticeable – but it is measurable. The decisive factor is therefore not a single value, but how blood pressure behaves over time during correctly performed measurements.
Knowing your values, measuring correctly, and having persistently elevated levels evaluated by a doctor creates an important foundation for protecting your heart and blood vessels.
In the case of repeated measurements in a doctor's office of 140/90 mmHg or higher, this is generally referred to as hypertension. For self-measurement at home, the corresponding threshold is an average of 135/85 mmHg. Diagnosis is not based on single measurements alone.
Often not. High blood pressure can persist for a long time without characteristic symptoms. This is why blood pressure measurement is decisive.
Excitement or tension can temporarily increase values in the practice. This phenomenon is known as white-coat hypertension. Home measurements or 24-hour monitoring can help with the assessment.
Sit quietly for a few minutes before measuring. The cuff must fit, the arm should be relaxed, and the measuring point positioned at heart level. Do not speak or move during the measurement. Multiple measurements are more informative than a single value.
Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment. Whether they are sufficient on their own or medication is additionally necessary depends on the blood pressure values, personal cardiovascular risk, and potential comorbidities.
Not without consulting a doctor. Normal values can be a result of the treatment working. Blood pressure medication should therefore not be discontinued or changed in dosage on your own.
Note: This article is for general information and does not replace medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. If you have repeatedly elevated blood pressure values or symptoms, please consult a medical professional. In case of acute severe symptoms, call the emergency number 144. The content of this article does not refer to HAWLIK products.
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Medicinal mushrooms with tradition
Medicinal mushrooms with tradition
