High blood
pressure
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure or arterial hypertension is a common condition in which the long-term force exerted by the blood against the artery walls is too high. This can lead to serious health problems, such as heart or kidney disease. The more blood pumped out by your heart and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure will be.
Blood pressure is measured by two values using millimetres of mercury (mm Hg):
Systolic blood pressure (SBP)
The higher value, or systolic blood pressure (SBP), marks the pressure of the blood on the blood vessels when it is expelled from the heart. It corresponds to the maximum value of the blood pressure when the heart contracts.
Diastolic blood pressure (DBP)
The lower value or diastolic blood pressure (DBP), corresponds to the minimum blood pressure when the heart is distended between beats.
From these values, the following categories of blood pressure are established:
- Normal blood pressure: SBP (lower than 130 mmHg)/DBP (lower than 85 mmHg)
- High normal blood pressure: SBP (130-139 mmHg)/DBP (85-90 mmHg)
- Stage 1 Hypertension: SBP (140-159 mmHg)/DBP (90-99 mmHg)
- Stage 2 Hypertension: SBP (160-179 mmHg)/DBP (100-109 mmHg)
-
Stage 3 Hypertension SBP (higher than or equal to 180 mmHg)/DBP (higher than or equal to 110 mmHg)
Blood pressure in Catalonia
High blood pressure is a very common condition.
In fact, 2 out of every 5 people aged 18 and over have high blood pressure.
40%
40%
High blood pressure progression
Most people with high blood pressure do not present any symptoms, even when the values are dangerously high. When symptoms do appear, they are not very specific and they generally occur when the hypertension has reached a serious and potentially dangerous level.
If the blood pressure is very high, it can cause permanent damage to be blood vessels and the organs. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it goes unchecked, the greater the damage will be.
Brain arteries
Stroke
Weakening of the blood vessels
Memory problems
Heart arteries
Heart attack
Heart failure
Peripheral arteries
Complications in the eyes
Poor kidney function
High blood pressure is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors
* The result of the cardiovascular risk calculation indicates the probability that a person will have a cardiovascular event in the next 10 years, based on their clinical characteristics.
High blood pressure is symptomless and many people think that they do not have a problem
“Doing nothing” is not a good option, high blood pressure is not cured on its own
Complementary measures to reduce cardiovascular risk
The following measures minimise the risks of disease and complement medicinal treatment.
Reduce salt intake to less than 6 grams a day*
Control of salt intake helps to reduce blood pressure and the associated cardiovascular risk.
A healthy balanced diet*
Make fruit, vegetables, pulses and wholemeal cereals a priority. Avoid saturated and trans fats, and follow a low sodium diet.
Regular physical exercise*
At least 30 minutes a day almost every day of the week.
Avoiding tobacco and alcohol*
Reduce the risk of suffering a cardiovascular event.
Weight control*
Maintaining a healthy weight helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
* Benefits backed by science
Do you want to follow a healthy lifestyle?
We can explain how
Healthy lifestyle
Following a balanced diet and taking regular physical exercise (more than 150 minutes/week) is always necessary, but sometimes it isn’t enough.
Complement with medications
If this is your case, there are medicines that help to reduce blood pressure. It starts with a treatment using just one blood pressure medication.
Complement with more than one type of medication
If one type of medication is not enough to lower blood pressure, a combined treatment with two or more treatments will be started.
What are Antihypertensive drugs?
Antihypertensive drugs are medicines that work by lowering blood pressure.
Anti-hypertensive drugs have to be taken every day and not only when you think you have “high blood pressure”.
The different treatments
The type of medication prescribed for you will depend on your blood pressure range and health. The most commonly used treatments are:
CHARACTERISTICS
They relax the blood vessels by blocking the formation of the natural substance that puts pressure on them.
Enalapril/Perindopril/Trandolapril/Captopril/Lisinopril/Ramipril
- Acts on the: Blood vessels
- Benefits
Lowers blood pressure
Protects the kidneys
- Adverse effects
- How and when to take it
With or without food
Common. May affect less than 1 in 10 people
Very Common. May affect more than 1 in 10 people
(1)
In the case of Enalapril
CHARACTERISTICS
They relax the blood vessels by blocking the formation of the natural substance that puts pressure on them.
Losartan/Valsartan/Irbesartan/Candesartan
- Acts on the: Blood vessels
- Benefits
Lowers blood pressure
Relaxes the blood vessels
- Adverse effects
- How and when to take it
With or without food
Common. May affect less than 1 in 10 people
Very Common. May affect more than 1 in 10 people
(2)
Depending on the dose
CHARACTERISTICS
They help the kidneys to excrete sodium and liquid from the body. There are different types of diuretics. The treatment recommended by your doctor will depend on your blood pressure and on the presence of other conditions.
Hydrochlorothiazide/Furosemide/Spironolactone
- Acts on the: Kidneys
- Benefits
Lowers blood pressure
Prevents water retention (oedema)
- Adverse effects
- How and when to take it
With food
Preferably in the morning, always at the same time
Common. May affect less than 1 in 10 people
Very Common. May affect more than 1 in 10 people
(2)
Depending on the dose
(3)
In the case of Furosemide and Hydrochlorothiazide
CHARACTERISTICS
They reduce the nerve signals from the blood vessels and also the natural substances that cause them to narrow.
Doxazosin
- Acts on the: Blood vessels
- Benefits
Lowers blood pressure
- Adverse effects
- How and when to take it
With or without food
Common. May affect less than 1 in 10 people
Very Common. May affect more than 1 in 10 people
CHARACTERISTICS
They dilate the blood vessels so that the heart beats less frequently and without making too much effort. This type of medication is usually prescribed as part of combined treatment.
Atenolol/Carvedilol/Metoprolol/Bisoprolol
- Acts on the: Blood vessels
- Benefits
Lowers blood pressure
Prevents heart disease
Relaxes the heart
- Adverse effects
- How and when to take it
With or without food
Common. May affect less than 1 in 10 people
Very Common. May affect more than 1 in 10 people
(2)
Depending on the dose
CHARACTERISTICS
They help to relax the muscles of the blood vessels.
Amlodipine
- Acts on the: Blood vessels
- Benefits
Lowers blood pressure
- Adverse effects
- How and when to take it
With or without food
Common. May affect less than 1 in 10 people
Very Common. May affect more than 1 in 10 people
These are the most commonly used anti-hypertension drugs, but there are other drugs that can be used. If you have any questions about your treatment you can always consult your doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist.
You can also find reliable information in the Medicines Information Centre of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices.
Is it compatible with breastfeeding?
The e-lactancia website will tell you if your treatment is compatible with breastfeeding.
Monitoring Plan
Clinical practice guidelines recommend a blood test for monitoring purposes at least once a year.
