Mercy Heart & Vascular Services

Conditions - Hypertension

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Blood pressure is a measurement of how forcefully your blood pulses through and against your arteries’ walls. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers – systolic and diastolic. Blood pressure is considered high if your systolic level runs consistently over 140 and your diastolic level runs consistently over 90. Prehypertension is when your blood pressure runs on the high side of normal – between 120 -139 for systolic and between 80–89 for diastolic.

Symptoms of hypertension vary but can include:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Fatigue
• Vertigo/dizziness
• Ringing or buzzing in ears
• Confusion
• Nosebleed

There are numerous potential causes of hypertension including: family history, obesity, diabetes, alcohol abuse, automimmune disorders, endocrine disorders, certain medications, and race (African-Americans are at greater risk for high blood pressure than other races).