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You may be able to reduce your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease in other ways. Some people are able to reduce their blood pressure without taking blood pressure medicines. It helps to:. It is recommended for all adults to get their blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. If you have high blood pressure your doctor may recommend lifestyle measures, such as diet and exercise, and possibly also medicines to control your blood pressure.

Find out about the different options. Read more on myDr website. High blood pressure in pregnancy is a common medical problem that usually disappears after the birth. It may signal a serious condition called pre-eclampsia. Some women will experience complications such as bleeding, itching high blood pressure or severe vomiting during pregnancy that will require treatment.

High blood pressure is persistently high pressure in the arteries, which over time leads to damage in other organs. Having hypertension high blood pressure increases your risk of serious conditions such as stroke and heart attack. Find out when to have your blood pressure checked and what to do if yours is high.

Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that only occurs in pregnant women. It begins after 20 weeks gestation and usually takes the form of high blood pressure and abnormal kidney function, but can also involve other organs, such as the liver, blood and brain. Type 2 diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance and often goes hand in hand with obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Conn's Syndrome is where excessive aldosterone secretion leads to retention of sodium and loss of potassium, resulting in high blood pressure. Why is blood pressure important? Find out why and how doctors measure blood pressure, what's a normal blood pressure reading and what's not, and what to do if you have high blood pressure. Several factors can affect blood pressure readings, including eating, not eating, and diet. Learn what can affect them and how to take an accurate….

Blood pressure can be different in each arm. While a slight difference can be fine, a greater difference may be a sign of a condition that needs…. It's known that Black Americans have higher rates of hypertension than other groups — but why?

Learn the causes and ways to treat and prevent this…. High blood pressure is often associated with few or no symptoms. Many people have it for years without knowing it.

Learn more. Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce high blood pressure and even lower your risk of hypertension in the future. Learn how garlic and dark…. High blood pressure readings are different for adults, children, and pregnant women.

Blood pressure medications are grouped into several classes. Each class works in a different way to lower blood pressure. The main classes are: diuretics e. This causes the body to lose salt and water, which decreases the volume of the blood, leading to lower blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors e. As a result, the blood vessels become more relaxed, and the pressure of the blood inside the vessels decreases. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. A hypertension specialist looks at potential causes. Your doctor will work to figure out why — and from there, create a new plan of attack.

In his work with patients, Dr. Thomas investigates possible explanations for difficulty in controlling blood pressures. These can include:.

If you feel nervous about seeing a doctor, your blood pressure could spike at each appointment and give the false sense that your blood pressure is generally high. Try arriving early at your appointment, then take deep breaths in the waiting room to relax. Work to manage your anxiety.

The American Heart Association recommends that you sit quietly for at least five minutes before taking your blood pressure.