Hypertension
Overview
- blood pressure is the force against the walls of the arteries and arterioles as these vessels carry blood away from the heart.
- A high blood pressure reading is usually a sign that the vessels cannot relax fully and remain somewhat constricted, requiring the heart to work harder to pump blood through the vessels. Over time this extra effort will cause the heart muscle to become enlarged and weakened.
Risk Factors
Modifiable
|
Non-Modifiable
|
Signs and Symptoms
- occipital headache
- vertigo
- flushed face
- spontaneous epistaxis
- vision changes
- nocturnal urinary frequency
Diagnosis
- Elevation of diastolic pressure, systolic pressure, or both measured on at least 2 separate occasions at least 2 weeks apart.
- Systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher
- Diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher
PT Implications
- Monitor vitals frequently
- Effects of blood pressure medications