High blood pressure affects all ages, with about half of all American adults at risk for major health problems because of high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. When that force is too high, it causes the heart and vessels to work harder and can damage them.
Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. Systolic pressure (the top number on the reading) is the pressure in your vessels when your heart beats (or contracts). Diastolic pressure (the bottom number on the reading) is the pressure in your vessels when your heart is between beats (or relaxes). The measuring unit is millimeters of mercury, or mmHg.
When Blood Pressure Is Considered High
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure (above 130/80). When the pressure inside the blood vessels is too high, this can cause damage to many different organs in our bodies over time. This damage can lead to the development of multiple chronic medical conditions related to high blood pressure, like heart disease, strokes, kidney disease and dementia
In 2020, the AHA, the American College of Cardiology and several other leading medical groups issued new guidelines that lowered the threshold for a diagnosis of hypertension, or high blood pressure.
- Blood pressure of 130/80 or above is high.
- Blood pressure between 120/80 and 129/80 is elevated.
The updated guidelines help physicians and patients recognize and treat hypertension sooner.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Risks
Most people don't experience any symptoms of high blood pressure until the pressure is extremely high (like above 180/100). When the blood pressure is high enough that it causes symptoms, this is very dangerous and is a reason to seek care in an emergency room. These severe symptoms include:
- Headache
- Vision changes
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
The American Heart Association refers to high blood pressure as the “silent killer.” This is because you can’t feel when your blood pressure is high, and most of the time, you won’t show any symptoms. Hypertension can cause the arteries to become damaged, more easily clogged or susceptible to rupture. Two leading causes of death associated with hypertension are heart disease and stroke. Hypertension can also lead to heart failure. Hypertension is the second leading preventable cause of death, after smoking.
Monitoring Your Blood Pressure
Healthy individuals should check their blood pressure at least once a year. You can record your own blood pressure at most retail pharmacies with an electronic blood pressure monitor. Per the guidelines, it is important to take readings on two different occasions to diagnose hypertension. Blood pressure is also monitored by a nurse or your primary care provider.
Most monitoring and treatment will be done through your primary care doctor or clinician, such as during your annual wellness visit.
Digital Care Monitoring
Digital Care Monitoring is a no-cost option offered by the Froedtert & MCW health network to patients who would benefit from the program. Using easy-to-understand technology, it helps you monitor your blood pressure and stay connected with us between your regular appointments.
Benefits of Digital Care Monitoring
Keeping track of your blood pressure readings is an important step in managing your hypertension and can help you avoid potentially dangerous complications. The program is confidential and uses technology you are familiar with, such as phone calls or text messages.
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How do I use Digital Care Monitoring?
When you enroll, we will call or send you a text message a few times a week to collect your blood pressure readings. If your numbers are consistently outside of normal range, the Digital Care Monitoring team will be alerted so we can arrange the care you need. Please be aware that regular text messages are not a secure form of communication. By enrolling and choosing to receive information about your condition via text, you are accepting the risk that some protected health information could be acquired by someone other than you.
Please note: Digital Care Monitoring should not be used for urgent matters. If you have an urgent or life-threatening emergency, call 911.
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Will my provider see my readings?
Your readings will be reviewed by our Digital Care Monitoring team and shared with your primary care physician if additional attention if needed. The Digital Care Monitoring team includes qualified health care professionals who will determine when to share your information with your primary care physician.
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How do I get started?
Contact your primary care physician to see if you would be a good candidate for Digital Care Monitoring for blood pressure.
Blood pressure cuffs can be purchased in Froedtert Pharmacy locations. Insurance coverage for these monitors varies by patient.
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure
Talk to your doctor about ways to keep your blood pressure in check. Lifestyle changes include:
- A low-sodium diet
- Cutting back on alcohol
- Increasing exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Advanced/Complex Hypertension
Most people with high blood pressure can improve their blood pressure with a combination of lifestyle modifications (like diet changes and regular exercise) and one or two medications. Complex hypertension is a term used to refer to cases of high blood pressure that are more challenging to treat and may not improve significantly despite initial efforts.
Complex Hypertension Clinic
The Complex Hypertension Clinic specializes in treating patients who have challenging cases of high blood pressure — specifically resistant and secondary hypertension.
- Resistant hypertension refers to patients who are taking 3 or more blood pressure medications and continue to have elevated blood pressure.
- Secondary hypertension refers to cases of hypertension caused by another medical illness.
The goal is to help improve blood pressure control and reduce the risk of developing chronic medical problems related to high blood pressure. Our clinic utilizes a team of health care professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurses and medical assistants to help achieve this goal.
We communicate with your primary doctor and other specialty care doctors to help coordinate and plan care. We take a comprehensive approach to managing blood pressure, including:
- Non-medicinal treatments (like diet and exercise planning)
- Medical therapies (blood pressure medications)
- Newer procedural/invasive treatments to tailor our care to each individual patient
Rated as High Performing by U.S. News & World Report
Froedtert Hospital is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in three specialties. Froedtert Hospital is also rated as high performing in four adult specialties and 22 procedures and conditions, including cardiology, heart and vascular surgery.
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