What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the blood vessels by the blood that is pumped out from the heart. It changes in response to the heart’s beat, so it is expressed in two numbers: the highest “systolic pressure” and the lowest “diastolic pressure.”
Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure is higher than normal. If the systolic blood pressure measured in the examination room is 140 mmHg or higher, or the diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or higher, you are diagnosed with hypertension.
Hypertension is known to cause various complications such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stroke, and kidney disease.
In such cases, seek medical attention.
- I was told that my blood pressure was high during a health checkup.
- There are continuing days when blood pressure measured at home is high.
- I have headaches and dizziness, and I'm worried about my blood pressure.
Many people with high blood pressure have no noticeable symptoms. When blood pressure becomes very high, they may experience headaches and dizziness; however, these are not typical symptoms of high blood pressure. Even if you have no symptoms, it can be a sign of various diseases, so it is important to get tested and treated as soon as possible.
Tests performed at our clinic
- Blood pressure measurement: Use a blood pressure monitor on your upper arm while sitting quietly. In addition to the blood pressure measured in the examination room, home blood pressure measurements taken at home are also important for diagnosis and treatment.
- Blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, and electrocardiograms: These tests look for the causes of high blood pressure, any complications, and other diseases that can lead to heart disease or stroke. They may also be used as a substitute for a medical examination result.
- Hormone testing: Since high blood pressure can also be caused by hormone abnormalities, hormone levels are checked through blood tests and urine tests as needed.
medical treatment
First, we determine the target blood pressure value for each patient. Treatment can be divided into two parts: lifestyle changes and medications to lower blood pressure (antihypertensives).
- Revising your lifestyle habits: It is the foundation of treatment. It is important to limit salt intake, exercise regularly, and maintain an appropriate weight; we approach this through nutritional counseling and exercise instruction.
- Family blood pressureWe will teach you the correct measurement method and provide you with a record sheet. You can use the recorded data for your medical consultations.
- 薬When lifestyle changes alone are not enough to achieve the goal, treatment with antihypertensive drugs is administered. There are various types of antihypertensive drugs, and they may be chosen based on the patient's condition and combined with several of them.
Doctors who treat this disease
Doctors from the internal medicine department provide medical care. Our hospital has Japanese Diabetes Society diabetes specialists and Japanese Endocrine Society endocrinologists and metabolic specialists on staff.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do I need treatment even though I have no symptoms?
A. Many cases of high blood pressure have no noticeable symptoms, but they can lead to conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Even if you have no symptoms, it is important to get tested and treated early.
Q. Will I be able to take the medicine immediately?
A. The basic principle of treatment is to modify your lifestyle. When lifestyle modification alone does not achieve your blood pressure target, we will administer medication.
Q. Is it better to measure blood pressure at home?
A. Home blood pressure is important information for diagnosis and treatment. We will provide you with the correct measurement method and hand you over a record sheet.
Q. Should I bring my health check results with me?
A. Yes. Depending on the results of the health checkup, some tests, such as blood tests, may be substituted.
Related explanatory articles
- What is hypertension? Causes, symptoms, treatment, and daily lifestyle measures
- What are the symptoms and causes of hypertension? Why you need to be careful even without symptoms
- Hypertension Diet | Foods to Avoid and Key Points for Improvement
- Is exercise effective for high blood pressure? Key points for exercise habits to lower blood pressure
- What is antihypertensive drug therapy? The treatment process and mindset
Other diseases in the same category
- Fatty liver (MASLD)
- Cold, sore throat, cough
- Prolonged coughs, cough-asthma, and asthma
- Gastroenteritis (diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain)
- Lipid disorders, diabetes, thyroid disease