How to Read a Blood Pressure Monitor for High Blood Pressure

Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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As living standards improve, a blood pressure monitor has become an essential medical device in households. Electronic blood pressure monitors are very convenient for measuring blood pressure, especially for patients with hypertension. They allow patients to measure their blood pressure timely and adjust medication dosages accordingly. How to read a blood pressure monitor varies with different models. Typically, on an electronic blood pressure monitor, the first line displays the systolic pressure, also known as high blood pressure; the second line displays the diastolic pressure, also known as low blood pressure; and the third line displays the heart rate. These readings can help you know your systolic and diastolic pressures.

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Written by Li Fang Xiao
Internal Medicine
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What is the blood pressure in a hypertensive crisis?

Hypertensive crisis is a relatively urgent medical condition in clinical settings. Its diagnostic criterion is a diastolic pressure greater than 130 mmHg. Naturally, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the threat. A hypertensive crisis can lead to many clinical symptoms, such as acute left heart failure, dizziness, headache, cerebral hemorrhage, and acute renal failure. The most common causes of hypertensive crisis are primary or secondary hypertension, which, under certain specific circumstances, lead to uncontrollably high blood pressure and related clinical symptoms. The focus of treatment is on controlling the blood pressure and choosing different treatment plans for complications. For instance, in the case of heart failure, vasodilators and diuretics may be used for symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What should be done at the start of hypertension?

What to do at the onset of hypertension, specifically refers to mild early-stage hypertension. Mild early-stage hypertension can be managed through reasonable dietary adjustments and increased physical activity to lower blood pressure to normal levels. Generally, it is not necessary to use antihypertensive medications. Aerobic exercises such as swimming, skipping rope, square dancing, playing table tennis, volleyball, tennis, can increase vascular elasticity and improve blood circulation, thereby achieving a blood pressure-lowering effect. In terms of diet, it is important to focus on low-fat, low-salt, and low-oil intake to reduce the occurrence of arteriosclerosis and decrease blood viscosity, as well as sodium and water retention which can cause elevated blood pressure. Pay attention to rest, avoid overworking, and do not get overly excited. These are effective treatment and prevention methods for initial mild hypertension.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Emergency treatment for high blood pressure

Hypertension is currently a common and frequent disease, especially among middle-aged and elderly people. It requires the use of proper antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure back to a normal range to ensure the blood supply to the heart and brain. If medication is not taken on time, or due to emotional excitement or excessive fatigue, there can be a sudden increase in blood pressure. Immediate use of effective antihypertensive drugs is necessary to lower the blood pressure to a safe range to prevent accidents. In case of a hypertensive emergency, one should go to the hospital for active treatment to avoid life-threatening risks.

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Cardiology
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What can you eat to lower high blood pressure?

Patients with hypertension may experience some reduction in blood pressure by consuming certain vegetables and fruits, such as celery, winter melon, spinach, kiwifruit, hawthorn, and bananas. Additionally, drinking some types of tea, like kuding tea, Eucommia tea, Apocynum tea, and kudzu root tea, can also help lower blood pressure. However, these effects are not very strong and these items should not be relied upon for blood pressure treatment. Patients with hypertension need to adopt standardized treatment methods for long-term blood pressure control, actively improve their lifestyle, and choose appropriate first-line antihypertensive medications for long-term treatment. It is essential to maintain blood pressure control to prevent adverse outcomes caused by hypertension and improve prognosis.

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Causes of pregnancy-induced hypertension

There are many reasons that can lead to the occurrence of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Normally, due to reasons related to the mother herself or being under the age of 18 or over 35, the risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy may increase. Additionally, dietary and environmental influences such as a high-salt diet, excessive fatigue, and mental stress can lead to the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension. In some cases, after the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension, it may trigger diseases in other organ systems, leading to severe issues with the placenta, causing complications such as placental abruption, hypoalbuminemia, and cerebrovascular accidents.