Hypertension Care Overview
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal. It is a common disease in adults. An individual’s blood pressure changes throughout the day based on a variety of factors, such as activity level, caffeine consumption or even being nervous. If an individual’s blood pressure measures consistently above normal, that may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure (or hypertension). This is more common in individuals with who don’t get enough physical activity or those who have certain health conditions, such as diabetes and obesity. At Hattiesburg Clinic, taking a blood pressure measurement is part of how we care for our patients at their doctor’s appointments.
In many cases, hypertension has no symptoms, which is why it has been nicknamed “The Silent Killer”.
People with very high blood pressure can experience symptoms including:
- Severe headaches
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision or other vision changes
- Anxiety
Hypertension can be treated with medication, and in some cases, it can improve with lifestyle changes including a healthy diet, smoking cessation and exercise. Individuals should talk to their health care provider about treatment options.
