When Is Blood Pressure High Enough To Go To The Hospital?

Due to the health risk of hypertension, hence, the question, when is blood pressure high enough to go to the hospital? Basically, many people usually develop high blood pressure (HBP) in their lifetime. Most times people who fall victim of HBP, often are not aware until they go for check-ups.

More so, hypertension can be defined as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or above. It is known as the primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke. In addition, it creates an opening for other serious conditions, such as kidney failure, blood vessel damage, vision loss, and dementia.

However, these health hazards do not suddenly appear as blood pressure readings cross the 140/90 mm Hg threshold. Instead, the risks of heart disease and other complications come up as the numbers increases.

At What Point Should You Go to The ER For High Blood Pressure?

Most of the common reasons for visits to the emergency room may be complications caused by hypertension (high blood pressure). Usually, elevated blood pressure levels can cause great damage to our bodies. It can also lead to conditions that may become life-threatening.

The understanding of when to seek immediate health care can help you avoid delays in getting medical attention. This can also decrease your risk of developing severe complications caused by extremely high blood pressure.

Going by the research of the American Heart Association, whenever blood pressure levels increase severely and reach measurements of 180/110 or greater, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Subsequently, there are other warning signs associated with high blood pressure. These signs indicate you are having a hypertensive crisis and require emergency care. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Severe headaches which are followed by blurred vision and confusion
• Seizures
• Severe chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unresponsiveness
• Shortness of breath
• Severe anxiety

Missing to take blood pressure medication, or heart attack, stroke, kidney failure or an artery rupture may be the cause of a severe spike in your blood pressure.

The crisis of hypertension can lead to complications or damages to your body. These damages to the body include fluid in the lungs, memory loss, vision damage, and damage to vital organs.  For this reason, it is important that you go to your nearest hospital emergency room and receive the treatment needed. The treatment is to lower your blood pressure.  If there is any damage to your organs it will be assessed and your doctors will immediately address complications.

The Main Two Types of High Blood Pressure (HBP) Crisis to Look Out For

Hypertensive crises are classified into two types. Both of this crisis requires immediate attention to evaluate the state of organ function. It would enable the doctor to determine an appropriate course of action.

1. Hypertensive Urgency

In a situation where your blood pressure is 180/120 or greater, you may wait for about five minutes and try again. After the second reading and it’s still high, this would be considered a hypertensive urgency. Especially if you are not experiencing any other associated symptoms of target organ damage. Which are chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision, or speech difficulty. You may be required to adjust or add medications by your healthcare provider, but rarely requires hospitalization.

2. Hypertensive Emergency

Hypertensive emergency is a situation where your blood pressure reading is 180/120 or greater. At the same time, you are experiencing any other associated symptoms of target organ damage. Which may include, chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision, or difficulty speaking. This circumstance does not need waiting to see if your pressure comes down on its own, Call for emergency attention.

High Blood Pressure – A Silent Killer

In most cases, high blood pressure (HBP, or hypertension) has no obvious symptoms to indicate that something is wrong. It is always best to protect yourself by going for regular check-ups.

Some Insight To Know About High Blood Pressure:

• Majority of people with high blood pressure are not even aware they have it. Usually, the signs and symptoms are often misunderstood.
• There can be many causes of high blood pressure and it develops slowly over time.
• Once you develop high blood pressure it cannot be cured. However, it can be effectively managed especially by adopting good lifestyle changes and, when needed, medication.

Knowing the Difference Between Blood Pressure And Pulse

There is an obvious difference between blood pressure and pulse. Blood pressure is the force of the blood moving through your blood vessels, heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute.

• The two have different measurements and indicators of health too.
• There is no alternative for measuring blood pressure for people with high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension).

Heart rate and blood pressure do not usually increase at the same rate

When there is a rising in heart rate it does not cause the blood pressure to increase at the same rate. If your heart is beating more than required, healthy blood vessels get larger to allow more blood to flow easily. During exercise, the heart speeds up so that more blood can reach your muscles. However, it may be possible for the heart rate to double safely, while your blood pressure may respond by only increasing a modest amount.

Some Of The Wrong Understanding About High Blood Pressure (HBP)

It may be normal to be worried about high blood pressure in yourself, a family member, or a friend. It is usually not out of place to express concern over this health challenge. However, if high blood pressure is untreated it can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease and stroke. A better understanding of high blood pressure can help you prevent this condition from damaging your health. To have a better understanding of HBP, you can start by learning what’s true, and not true about this condition. Mentioned below are some of the wrong understanding of high blood pressure (HBP):

1.  High Blood Pressure Isn’t a Big Deal

Initially, it is possible may not notice the symptoms of high blood pressure, so you may not show concern. Basically, in the long run, high blood pressure can kill. Usually, the heart beats regularly, pumping blood through the vessels all over the body. While the blood is pushed by the heartbeat, the blood also pushes against the sides of the blood vessels. Blood vessels easily widen or constrict as it is needed to keep the blood flow due to it’s flexible. Due to many reasons, the blood may begin to push too hard against the blood vessels. High blood pressure, can cause the arteries to become stiff over time. The problems begin in this way.

The condition of high blood pressure can lead to damage to your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and other organs in your body. High blood pressure causes heart disease and stroke, both of these are the first and fifth leading causes of death.

The dangerous thing about high blood pressure is that you may have it without even knowing it. This reason is why doctors usually refer to high blood pressure as a “silent killer.” There is an agreement to this with the health care professionals, also stating that high blood pressure is a big deal.

2. The Misconception That High Blood Pressure Can’t Be Prevented

Possibly, you may have other relatives with high blood pressure. You may also be a member of a group of people who are at greater risk. Because of these or other reasons, you might be thinking that there’s nothing you can do about high blood pressure.

• The good news about high blood pressure is that there are steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure even if you have many risk factors.
• You have to keep your weight at a healthy level. This can be achieved by a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise.
• Keeping to a healthy diet. This involves eating only the quantity of food your body needs. As well as choosing foods high in nutrients and low in fat, sugar, and salt.
• You have to limit the salt you eat. Majorly, sodium eaten is in the form of salt. This may be salt added at the table or salt added to processed foods that you consume.
• Alcohol intake needs to be reduced.
• Tobacco has to be minimized and as well, your exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Engage in regular exercise. You need to at least get a 30 minutes of activity each day, and five days a week. Exercise helps to relieve stress and it also helps you control your weight.
• Avoid the build-up of stress. The heart beats harder and faster and your blood vessels tighten as a result of chemical response in the body. The blood pressure becomes higher because of this.
• You need to consult with your doctor for suggestions about high blood pressure and how to prevent it. You may be referred by your doctor to other health care professionals who can help.

3. The Wrong Thinking About High Blood Pressure, Felling It’s OK As Long As One Number Is Normal

Usually, when your doctor measures your blood pressure, the reading includes two numbers, one written on top of the other. Normally, these numbers can be confusing if you are not conversant with it. The number at the top is called your systolic blood pressure. Additionally, this number represents the force of blood via the blood vessels during your heartbeat.

• The reading of 119 or below is normal systolic blood pressure (Number at the Top).
• 120-129 reading is considered elevated
• While 130 and greater is high blood pressure

The number at the bottom is called your diastolic blood pressure. This number at the bottom represents the force of blood through your blood vessels in between heartbeats, while your heart is resting.

• 79 or below is normal diastolic blood pressure
• 80 and greater is hypertension

4. The Misconception About High Blood Pressure That Treatment Doesn’t Work

A workable plan for managing your high blood pressure is achievable if you cooperate with your doctor to develop a comprehensive plan.

In order to make good use of the benefits of your plan, these steps need to be followed:

You have to check your blood pressure as often as recommended by your doctor.

Be consistent with your treatment plan. Inform your doctor immediately, if you have problems with any part of the plan. It is possible that your doctor may refer you to other health care professionals who can help.

Always visit your doctor very often. You may need to always bring your blood pressure records to show your doctor how the plan is working.

Try to always ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about medication side effects. Be sure of when to call your doctor if there is a problem.

You need to reduce how much salt you take in.

It is important to learn about high blood pressure and how it can harm your health. This should be the first step to take in controlling this condition so you can remain healthy for years to come.