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Prehypertension
from: Kyle BesserPrehypertension is an American classification for when a person's blood pressure is elevated above normal but not to the level considered to be hypertension (high blood pressure). Prehypertension is considered to be blood pressure readings with a systolic pressure from 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure from 80 to 89 mm Hg. Readings greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg are considered hypertension. Classification of blood pressure is based upon two or more readings at two or more separate occasions.
Elevated blood pressure usually develops gradually over many years and usually without a specific identifiable cause. Possible medical causes, such as medications, kidney disease, adrenal problems or thyroid problems, must first be excluded as the cause. High blood pressure that develops over time without a specific cause is considered benign or essential hypertension. Blood pressure also tends to increase as a person ages.
A primary risk factor for prehypertension is being overweight. Other risk factors include a family history of hypertension, a sedentary lifestyle, eating foods high in sodium, smoking, and excessive alcohol intake. Blood pressure levels appear to be hereditary, but there is no clear genetic pattern.
Prehypertension is often asymptomatic (without symptoms) at the time of diagnosis. Extremely elevated blood pressure can cause headaches, visual changes, fatigue, or dizziness, but these are nonspecific symptoms which can occur with many other conditions and are rarely caused by elevated blood pressure. Thus, elevated blood pressure can go undiagnosed for a long period of time.
Without any lifestyle modifications, prehypertension is likely to progress to hypertension, or high blood pressure. Similar to hypertension, prehypertension can increase the risk for heart attacks, strokes, congestive heart failure, and renal failure. Researchers found that a prehypertensive person is more than 3 times more likely to have a heart attack and 1.7 times more likely to have heart disease than a person with normal blood pressure.
To lower the risk of prehypertension progressing to hypertension, modification of lifestyle or unhealthy behaviors is necessary. A low-fat, low-sodium, high potassium diet is recommended, along with increasing physical activity to at least 30 minutes a day, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Weight loss, exercise and other healthy lifestyle changes can often control prehypertension. Careful monitoring for signs of end-organ damage or progression to hypertension is important for patients with prehypertension. Any change in blood pressure classification should be confirmed on at least one subsequent visit.
Home monitoring of blood pressure can be used to monitor and track prehypertensive patients. Home monitoring can help to raise the awareness of the patient and the doctor if their blood pressure levels rise to hypertensive levels. Monitoring at home or work at regular times daily will help to diagnose a patient with prehypertension or hypertension.
Home monitoring of blood pressure can help avoid "white coat hypertension" which means your blood pressure goes up when you're at the doctor's office. Monitoring at home will help you measure your true blood pressure and can provide your doctor with a log of blood pressure measurements over a period of time. This can be very helpful in diagnosing and preventing potential health problems.
People using home blood pressure monitoring devices are increasingly using blood pressure charting software. These charting methods provide printouts for the patients and their doctors. Blood pressure charting software can also be a useful tool to provide reminders on checking blood pressure.
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