has high blood pressure , or hypertension. Many of those people don't know they have it, because there are usually no warning signs. This can be dangerous, because high blood pressure can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke. The good news is that you can often prevent or treat high blood pressure.

Early diagnosis and heart-healthy lifestyle changes can keep high blood pressure from seriously damaging your health. Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood.

This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure. Your blood pressure reading uses these two numbers.

Usually the systolic number comes before or above the diastolic number. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. So the only way to find out if you have it is to get regular blood pressure checks from your health care provider.

Your provider will use a gauge, a stethoscope or electronic sensor, and a blood pressure cuff. He or she will take two or more readings at separate appointments before making a diagnosis.

For children and teens, the health care provider compares the blood pressure reading to what is normal for other kids who are the same age, height, and gender.

Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but there are certain factors that can increase your risk:. If you already have high blood pressure, it is important to prevent it from getting worse or causing complications.

You should get regular medical care and follow your prescribed treatment plan. Your plan will include healthy lifestyle habit recommendations and possibly medicines. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. How to Prevent High Blood Pressure Also called: Lowering High Blood Pressure.

On this page Basics Summary Start Here Prevention and Risk Factors. Learn More Related Issues Specifics Genetics.

See, Play and Learn Videos and Tutorials Test Your Knowledge. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. For You Patient Handouts. What is blood pressure? Should I restrict salt to reduce my blood pressure? How can I lower my blood pressure without medication?

What is the best medication to take for hypertension? Are certain blood pressure medications harmful to my kidneys? How can I be the best partner to my medical team? Blood pressure measurement. Top number, called systolic pressure.

The first, or upper, number measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Bottom number, called diastolic pressure. The second, or lower, number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

Stage 1 hypertension. The top number is between and mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg. Stage 2 hypertension. The top number is mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher.

Tests If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your provider may recommend tests to check for a cause. Ambulatory monitoring. A longer blood pressure monitoring test may be done to check blood pressure at regular times over six or 24 hours.

This is called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. However, the devices used for the test aren't available in all medical centers. Check with your insurer to see if ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a covered service.

Lab tests. Blood and urine tests are done to check for conditions that can cause or worsen high blood pressure. For example, tests are done to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

You may also have lab tests to check your kidney, liver and thyroid function. Electrocardiogram ECG or EKG. This quick and painless test measures the heart's electrical activity. It can tell how fast or how slow the heart is beating.

During an electrocardiogram ECG , sensors called electrodes are attached to the chest and sometimes to the arms or legs. Wires connect the sensors to a machine, which prints or displays results.

This noninvasive exam uses sound waves to create detailed images of the beating heart. It shows how blood moves through the heart and heart valves.

Taking your blood pressure at home Your health care provider may ask you to regularly check your blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure monitors are available at local stores and pharmacies.

More Information. Blood pressure chart. Blood pressure test. Your health care provider may recommend that you make lifestyle changes including: Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt Getting regular physical activity Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight Limiting alcohol Not smoking Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily Sometimes lifestyle changes aren't enough to treat high blood pressure.

Medications The type of medicine used to treat hypertension depends on your overall health and how high your blood pressure is. Medicines used to treat high blood pressure include: Water pills diuretics. Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors. These drugs help relax blood vessels. They block the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels.

Examples include lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril , benazepril Lotensin , captopril and others. Angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBs. These drugs also relax blood vessels. They block the action, not the formation, of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBs include candesartan Atacand , losartan Cozaar and others.

Other medicines sometimes used to treat high blood pressure If you're having trouble reaching your blood pressure goal with combinations of the above medicines, your provider may prescribe: Alpha blockers.

These medicines reduce nerve signals to blood vessels. They help lower the effects of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels. Alpha blockers include doxazosin Cardura , prazosin Minipress and others.

Alpha-beta blockers. Alpha-beta blockers block nerve signals to blood vessels and slow the heartbeat. They reduce the amount of blood that must be pumped through the vessels.

Alpha-beta blockers include carvedilol Coreg and labetalol Trandate. Aldosterone antagonists. These drugs may be used to treat resistant hypertension. They block the effect of a natural chemical that can lead to salt and fluid buildup in the body.

Examples are spironolactone Aldactone and eplerenone Inspra. These medicines stop the muscles in the artery walls from tightening. This prevents the arteries from narrowing. Examples include hydralazine and minoxidil.

Central-acting agents. These medicines prevent the brain from telling the nervous system to increase the heart rate and narrow the blood vessels. Examples include clonidine Catapres, Kapvay , guanfacine Intuniv and methyldopa. Treating resistant hypertension You may have resistant hypertension if: You take at least three different blood pressure drugs, including a diuretic.

But your blood pressure remains stubbornly high. You're taking four different medicines to control high blood pressure.

Your care provider should check for a possible second cause of the high blood pressure. Treating resistant hypertension may involve many steps, including: Changing blood pressure medicines to find the best combination and dosage. Reviewing all your medicines, including those bought without a prescription.

Checking blood pressure at home to see if medical appointments cause high blood pressure. This is called white coat hypertension. Eating healthy, managing weight and making other recommended lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure during pregnancy If you have high blood pressure and are pregnant, discuss with your care providers how to control blood pressure during your pregnancy.

Potential future treatments Researchers have been studying the use of heat to destroy specific nerves in the kidney that may play a role in resistant hypertension.

Request an appointment. Alpha blockers. Angiotensin II receptor blockers. Show more related information. Choosing blood pressure medicines. Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain? Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise? Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?

Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs? Diuretics: A cause of low potassium? From Mayo Clinic to your inbox. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Clinical trials. Try these heart-healthy strategies: Eat healthy foods. Eat a healthy diet. Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy foods.

Get plenty of potassium from natural sources, which can help lower blood pressure. Eat less saturated fat and trans fat. Use less salt. Processed meats, canned foods, commercial soups, frozen dinners and certain breads can be hidden sources of salt. Check food labels for the sodium content.

Limit foods and beverages that are high in sodium. A sodium intake of 1, mg a day or less is considered ideal for most adults. But ask your provider what's best for you. Limit alcohol. Even if you're healthy, alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women, and up to two drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.

Don't smoke. Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. If you smoke, ask your care provider for strategies to help you quit. Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight or have obesity, losing weight can help control blood pressure and lower the risk of complications.

Ask your health care provider what weight is best for you. In general, blood pressure drops by about 1 mm Hg with every 2. In people with high blood pressure, the drop in blood pressure may be even more significant per kilogram of weight lost. Practice good sleep habits. Poor sleep may increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Adults should aim to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily. Kids often need more. Go to bed and wake at the same time every day, including on weekends.

If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your provider about strategies that might help. Manage stress. Find ways to help reduce emotional stress. Getting more exercise, practicing mindfulness and connecting with others in support groups are some ways to reduce stress.

Try slow, deep breathing. Practice taking deep, slow breaths to help relax. Some research shows that slow, paced breathing 5 to 7 deep breaths per minute combined with mindfulness techniques can reduce blood pressure.

There are devices available to promote slow, deep breathing. According to the American Heart Association, device-guided breathing may be a reasonable nondrug option for lowering blood pressure.

It may be an good option if you have anxiety with high blood pressure or can't tolerate standard treatments. High blood pressure and exercise. Medication-free hypertension control. Stress and high blood pressure. Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?

Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure? High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe? Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure? How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor.

How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor. What is blood pressure? These supplements include: Fiber, such as blond psyllium and wheat bran Minerals, such as magnesium, calcium and potassium Folic acid Supplements or products that increase nitric oxide or widen blood vessels — called vasodilators — such as cocoa, coenzyme Q10, L-arginine and garlic Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, high-dose fish oil supplements and flaxseed Researchers are also studying whether vitamin D can reduce blood pressure, but evidence is conflicting.

L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure? Some things you can do to help manage the condition are: Take medicines as directed. If side effects or costs pose problems, ask your provider about other options.

Don't stop taking your medicines without first talking to a care provider. Schedule regular health checkups. It takes a team effort to treat high blood pressure successfully. Work with your provider to bring your blood pressure to a safe level and keep it there.

Know your goal blood pressure level. Choose healthy habits. Eat healthy foods, lose excess weight and get regular physical activity. If you smoke, quit. Say no to extra tasks, release negative thoughts, and remain patient and optimistic.

Ask for help. Sticking to lifestyle changes can be difficult, especially if you don't see or feel any symptoms of high blood pressure. It may help to ask your friends and family to help you meet your goals.

Join a support group. You may find that talking about any concerns with others in similar situations can help. What you can do Write down any symptoms that you're having. High blood pressure rarely has symptoms, but it's a risk factor for heart disease. Let your care provider know if you have symptoms such as chest pains or shortness of breath.

Doing so can help your provider decide how aggressively to treat your high blood pressure. Write down important medical information, including a family history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or diabetes, and any major stresses or recent life changes.

They're often recommended if ACE inhibitors cause troublesome side effects. Common examples are candesartan , irbesartan , losartan , valsartan and olmesartan.

Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches, and cold or flu-like symptoms. Calcium channel blockers reduce blood pressure by widening your blood vessels. Common examples are amlodipine , felodipine and nifedipine. Other medicines, such as diltiazem and verapamil , are also available.

Drinking grapefruit juice while taking some calcium channel blockers can increase your risk of side effects. Sometimes known as water pills, diuretics work by flushing excess water and salt from the body through your pee. They're often used if calcium channel blockers cause troublesome side effects, or if you have signs of heart failure.

Common examples are indapamide and bendroflumethiazide. Possible side effects include dizziness when standing up, increased thirst, needing to go to the toilet frequently, and a rash. You might also get low potassium and low sodium after long-term use.

You'll have regular blood tests to check for this. Beta blockers can reduce blood pressure by making your heart beat more slowly and with less force. They used to be a popular treatment for high blood pressure, but now tend to be used only when other treatments have not worked. This is because beta blockers are considered less effective than other blood pressure medicines.

Common examples are atenolol and bisoprolol. Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches, tiredness, and cold hands and feet. While there are definite benefits from taking medicines to reduce blood pressure if you're under the age of 80, it's less clear it's useful if you're over It's now thought that if you reach 80 while you're taking medicine for high blood pressure, it's fine to continue treatment provided it's still helping you and is not causing side effects.