Hypertension

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure to a level where there is decreased risk of complications. Treatment may occur at home with close supervision by the health care provider, or may occur in the hospital.

Medications may include diuretics of any sort, potassium replacements, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Medications such as hydralazine, diazoxide, or nitroprusside may be required if the blood pressure is very high. Other medications may include reserpine, rauwolfia alkaloids, or guanethidine.

Have your blood pressure checked at regular intervals (as often as recommended by the provider).

Lifestyle changes may reduce high blood pressure, including weight loss, exercise, and dietary adjustments (see Prevention).

Expectations (prognosis):

Hypertension is controllable with treatment. It requires lifelong monitoring, and the treatment may require adjustments periodically.

Complications:

• hypertensive heart disease
• heart attacks
• congestive heart failure
• blood vessel damage (arteriosclerosis)
• aortic dissection
• kidney damage
• kidney failure
• stroke
• brain damage
• loss of vision

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

• you think you may have hypertension.
• your blood pressure remains high even with treatment, or if other symptoms develop.