Elevated blood pressure 

Diagnosis  

A blood pressure assessment is conducted to detect high blood pressure. This examination can be performed during regular health evaluations or as a means of screening for hypertension. Blood pressure is quantified in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A blood pressure reading consists of two numerical values: 

• The upper number (systolic) signifies the pressure of blood flow when the heart muscles contract and pump blood. 
• The lower number (diastolic) indicates the arterial pressure during the intervals between heartbeats. 

Elevated blood pressure is defined as 120–129 mm Hg (systolic) and below 80 mm Hg (diastolic). Diagnosis involves averaging separate readings taken on different occasions. Initial measurements should be from both arms to identify any differences. Subsequent readings use the arm with the higher value. Longer monitoring, known as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, can span six or 24 hours. However, availability of monitoring devices varies. Home blood pressure monitors are an option, available at local stores and pharmacies, with memory storage in some devices. 

In situations involving elevated or high blood pressure, healthcare professionals may conduct blood and urine tests to explore potential underlying causes. These assessments might include: 

• Complete blood count 
• Lipid profile (cholesterol test) 
• Blood glucose test 
• Kidney function tests 
• Thyroid function evaluations 

Furthermore, an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) may be performed to analyze heart rhythm. This procedure is quick and painless. Throughout the ECG, electrodes are affixed to the chest, and in certain cases, to the arms or legs. These electrodes are connected to a machine that generates printouts or visualizes the results. 

Treatment

For individuals with elevated or high blood pressure, adopting a healthy lifestyle is typically the initial recommendation. In cases where there are coexisting conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease, healthcare providers might also propose blood pressure medication. Yet, for those with elevated blood pressure but no additional heart disease risk factors, the potential benefits of medication are less definitive. Management of stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension generally entails a combination of blood pressure medications and the implementation of healthy lifestyle changes.