What is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)? Symptoms and Treatment

Hypertension is a condition where the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently higher than what is considered normal. Commonly known as high blood pressure, this condition forces your heart and blood vessels to work harder, which can seriously threaten your kidney, brain, and heart health over time. With early diagnosis, a proper treatment plan guided by a physician, and lasting lifestyle changes, it is entirely possible to bring your blood pressure under control and lead a healthy life.

• Hypertension is defined as a resting blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher.
• In about 95 percent of patients, the exact cause of high blood pressure is unknown.
• Because it often progresses without any symptoms, it is widely referred to in medicine as the "silent killer."
• The foundation of treatment consists of salt restriction, regular exercise, stress management, and medications prescribed by your doctor.
• Left uncontrolled, it significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and chronic kidney failure.

What is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?

As the heart pumps blood throughout our body, it creates a certain amount of pressure against the artery walls. This pressure is known as blood pressure. The highest pressure created when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries is called systolic blood pressure (the top number), while the pressure remaining in the arteries when the heart rests between beats is called diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number). The clearest answer to the question what is hypertension is when these pressure readings consistently measure above normal limits. While ideal blood pressure for an adult is generally considered to be around 120/80 mmHg, a systolic reading of 140 mmHg or a diastolic reading of 90 mmHg and above is sufficient for a hypertension diagnosis.

Blood pressure values can fluctuate throughout the day depending on factors like physical activity, stress levels, sleep patterns, and diet. These fluctuations are a natural response of the body. However, if blood pressure remains consistently high even while resting, it causes permanent damage to the artery walls and disrupts the functioning of your organs. Although it can occur in any age group, the incidence of high blood pressure increases as we age, largely due to blood vessels losing their natural elasticity.

What Causes High Blood Pressure and What Are the Risk Factors?

In the vast majority of hypertension cases (approximately 95 percent), no specific underlying disease can be found. In medicine, this is known as essential (primary) hypertension. For the remaining 5 percent, the answer to what causes high blood pressure is usually tied to another health issue, such as kidney diseases, thyroid problems, adrenal gland tumors, or sleep apnea. This group is referred to as secondary hypertension. Even though the exact cause of primary hypertension is not fully understood, there are many risk factors that pave the way for elevated blood pressure and should be taken seriously.

• Genetic predisposition: A family history of high blood pressure, especially in a mother or father, increases your risk.
• Excessive salt intake: High daily salt consumption causes fluid retention in the body, which directly raises blood pressure.
• Sedentary lifestyle: A lack of regular physical activity negatively affects vascular health and triggers weight gain.
• Obesity and insulin resistance: Excess weight and insulin resistance force the heart to work much harder to pump blood.
• Stress: Intense psychosocial stress in daily life increases the release of stress hormones, which can lead to sudden spikes in blood pressure.
• Harmful habits: Smoking damages artery walls, while excessive alcohol consumption makes it difficult to control blood pressure.

What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure can often progress silently for years without presenting a single symptom. For this reason, many people discover they have hypertension purely by chance during a routine health check-up. However, when blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels or during sudden spikes, the body may send out certain warning signals. While high blood pressure symptoms vary from person to person, headaches are among the most common complaints. A throbbing pain that starts at the nape of the neck and spreads to the top of the head, especially upon waking in the morning, is highly typical.

Alongside headaches, ringing or buzzing in the ears, dizziness, a feeling of palpitations, and shortness of breath are also frequently seen symptoms. Some patients may experience unexplained nosebleeds, bloodshot eyes or blurred vision, fatigue, quick exhaustion, and chest tightness. While these symptoms are not always exclusive to hypertension, it is vital to visit a healthcare facility for a blood pressure check without delay if you experience them.

How is Hypertension Diagnosed?

A single blood pressure measurement is not enough to diagnose hypertension. Your doctor will make an assessment based on the results of multiple measurements taken on different days and while you are resting. One of the most commonly used methods during the diagnostic process is a Blood Pressure Holter monitor. This device is attached to the patient's arm and automatically measures blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24-hour period. This provides a detailed report of how your blood pressure changes during your daily routine, while you sleep, or when you are under stress.

Once high blood pressure readings are confirmed, your doctor will request additional tests to determine if there is any organ damage or an underlying disease. Blood and urine tests are performed to check kidney function, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. To evaluate heart health, an Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Echocardiography (heart ultrasound) are conducted to look for signs of heart muscle thickening or heart failure. When necessary, an eye fundus examination is performed to inspect the damage hypertension may have caused to the capillaries in the eyes.

Hypertension Treatment and How to Lower Blood Pressure

Hypertension treatment is entirely personalized based on the patient's age, blood pressure readings, other accompanying conditions (such as diabetes or kidney failure), and overall health status. The primary goal of treatment is to keep blood pressure below target values (usually 140/90 mmHg) to minimize life-threatening risks like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage. The treatment process is carried out in two main branches: lifestyle changes and, when deemed necessary by your doctor, medical therapy.

For patients who begin medical therapy, regular use is of vital importance. To bring your blood pressure under control, your doctor may sometimes prescribe a single medication, or a combination of several drugs with different mechanisms of action. The dosage and type of medication are adjusted over time based on the patient's response. Alongside medication, the most lasting answer to how to lower blood pressure is acquiring healthy lifestyle habits. Shedding excess weight, quitting smoking, and taking regular brisk walks increase the effectiveness of medications and can sometimes even allow for a reduction in drug dosages.

Hypertension Diet and Nutritional Recommendations

Dietary habits have a direct and powerful impact on blood pressure. The first and most important step to take when following a hypertension diet is to limit salt intake. The World Health Organization recommends that daily salt consumption should not exceed 5-6 grams (about one teaspoon). However, even if you do not use a salt shaker at the table, you must remember that hidden salt is present in processed foods. Hypertension patients should strictly avoid salty olives, brined cheeses, pickles, turnip juice (şalgam), canned goods, and processed meats (such as sucuk, sausages, and salami). For more detailed information on this topic, you can review our article titled The Effects of Salt on Blood Pressure and Overall Health.

In addition to salt restriction, a diet rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and high in fiber should be adopted. Vegetable and fruit consumption should be increased, whole-grain products should be preferred, and fish should be eaten at least two days a week instead of red meat rich in saturated fats. Furthermore, since excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages (strong tea, coffee, energy drinks) can cause a momentary spike in blood pressure, their intake should be limited.

Complications Caused by High Blood Pressure

When hypertension is not brought under control, the high-pressure blood constantly batters the artery walls, causing their internal structures to deteriorate. This accelerates the process of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Blockages in the coronary arteries that feed the heart can lead to a heart attack, while the heart constantly working against high pressure becomes exhausted, leading to heart failure. Similarly, blockages or bleeding in the brain's blood vessels can result in a stroke.

The kidneys are among the organs most affected by high blood pressure. In Türkiye and around the world, hypertension is the second most common cause of chronic kidney failure after diabetes. Additionally, the rupturing of fine capillaries in the back of the eye due to high pressure can cause vision loss, while blockages in the leg arteries can lead to walking difficulties and tissue loss. Blood pressure fluctuations can be seen more frequently, especially during the summer months; you can take precautions by checking out our content titled 7 Ways to Protect Our Heart and Blood Pressure Against Heat Waves.

When to See a Doctor and Emergencies

Individuals with a family history of high blood pressure, those who are overweight, and individuals over the age of 40 should have their blood pressure checked and undergo a general health screening at least once a year, even if they have no complaints. If your at-home measurements consistently show your blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg, you should consult an Internal Medicine or Cardiology specialist without delay.

In some cases, blood pressure can suddenly spike to very dangerous levels (for example, 180/120 mmHg and above). This condition, known as a hypertensive crisis, is life-threatening. If you experience symptoms such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, severe headache, vision loss, speech impairment, or numbness/loss of strength on one side of your body along with a high blood pressure reading, you must immediately call the 112 Emergency Call Center or go to the nearest hospital's emergency department.

Hypertension Process and Follow-Up at BHT CLINIC

At BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up processes of hypertension are carried out with a multidisciplinary approach by our Cardiology, Internal Medicine, and, when necessary, Nephrology specialists. Our patients' blood pressure values are measured precisely using advanced technology Holter devices, and laboratory and imaging tests aimed at detecting organ damage are rapidly finalized on the same day.

Advanced-stage treatments for cardiovascular diseases related to hypertension are successfully performed at international standards by our expert team in the Cardiovascular Surgery department, using methods such as minimally invasive surgery and coronary bypass. To combat sudden blood pressure spikes and heart attacks, our emergency department provides uninterrupted service 24/7. To bring your blood pressure under control and protect your heart, you can book an appointment before it's too late and secure your health with our expert physicians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does garlic lower blood pressure?

Although there are some studies suggesting that garlic has a vasodilating (blood vessel widening) effect, eating garlic alone is not enough to lower blood pressure or treat hypertension. It cannot replace medical treatment, but it can be consumed as part of a healthy diet.

Is lemon water good for blood pressure?

Lemon is a food rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Drinking lemon water helps meet the body's hydration needs and provides a refreshing feeling, but it does not have a medical effect to treat or suddenly lower high blood pressure.

Does stress raise blood pressure?

Yes, during moments of sudden fear, excitement, anger, and intense stress, the body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause the heart to beat faster and the blood vessels to constrict, leading to sudden and temporary spikes in blood pressure.

Can hypertension patients drink coffee?

The caffeine in coffee can cause momentary spikes in blood pressure shortly after consumption. It is recommended that hypertension patients consume coffee in moderation, not exceeding 1-2 cups a day, and with the knowledge of their doctor.

What should normal blood pressure values be according to age?

Ideal blood pressure in adults is generally considered to be 120/80 mmHg. Although systolic blood pressure may rise slightly in advanced ages due to a decrease in vascular elasticity, the general clinical approach aims to keep blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg regardless of age.

This article is for informational purposes only; please be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.