What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your blood vessel walls. Your heart generates this force each time it beats and pumps blood from the heart into the blood vessels. When you have high blood pressure, medically known as hypertension, the force of blood is too strong, making the heart work harder to move blood.
Types of high blood pressure
There are two main types of high blood pressure, or hypertension:
- Primary hypertension: This is the most common type of high blood pressure. Also known as essential hypertension, primary hypertension is not caused by another medical condition but can develop over time as you age.
- Secondary hypertension: This type of high blood pressure is caused by other medical issues or certain medications.
Primary and secondary hypertension can also fall into one of three sub-types:
- Resistant hypertension: This form does not improve with treatment or needs multiple types of medication to manage.
- Malignant hypertension: This form is severe and can damage your organs.
- Isolated systolic hypertension: This occurs when your systolic pressure goes above 140 and your diastolic pressure drops below 90.
High blood pressure symptoms
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Over time, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes and other organs and increase your risk of health conditions, such as heart failure, heart attack and stroke.
You can control high blood pressure, however, and help prevent these problems.
What causes high blood pressure?
Primary hypertension can develop for many reasons, mainly due to your lifestyle and certain health conditions.
Common causes include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eating a high-salt diet
- Having high cholesterol
- Not getting enough exercise
Secondary hypertension originates from at least one identifiable cause.
Common triggers include:
- Certain medications, including immunosuppressants, some pain relievers, and oral contraceptives
- Kidney disease
- Sleep apnea
- Diabetes
- Recreational drug use
- Smoking
Risk factors for hypertension
High blood pressure can also develop due to causes that are beyond your control, such as:
- Age: More than half of all Americans 60 and older have high blood pressure.
- Family history: Having family members with high blood pressure or heart disease increases your risk.
- Race: African American people are more likely than people of other races to have high blood pressure.
- Medical conditions: Having specific medical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea or thyroid disease.
It’s not possible to change your race, age or family history. However, you can work with your healthcare providers to manage health conditions and lifestyle habits that increase your risk and prevent those conditions from raising your blood pressure.
What are the complications of high blood pressure?
Because high blood pressure can harden or narrow arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart, it can lead to many other health complications, including:
- Heart attack or stroke: High blood pressure puts extra strain on arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain and heart.
- Aneurysm: High blood pressure creates inflammation and stress on arteries that can increase your chances of developing an aneurysm.
- Heart failure: High blood pressure can cause structural changes and damage to the heart over time.
- Kidney problems: Narrow or damaged blood vessels can prevent the kidneys from removing waste and other fluids from the body.
- Eye problems: Unhealthy blood vessels can damage the retina (known as hypertensive retinopathy) and lead to blurred vision, vision loss and optic nerve damage.
- Metabolic syndrome: This is a group of health conditions that occur together, such as high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar.
Diagnosing high blood pressure
You can learn if your blood pressure is high by checking it regularly at home or by your healthcare provider.
Blood pressure is measured in two numbers:
- Systolic pressure: This refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the body.
- Diastolic pressure: This refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest.
When you have a blood pressure reading, the numbers are provided in millimeters of mercury, or mm Hg, a measure of how high the mercury column in the blood pressure cuff rises. You may have high blood pressure if your systolic or diastolic readings are consistently above normal levels.
High blood pressure treatment
Treatment for high blood pressure involves lifestyle changes and medications. Healthcare providers tailor treatment based on your blood pressure readings, the causes of your high blood pressure, and your underlying conditions.
Lifestyle changes
You may be able to control high blood pressure with these healthy lifestyle changes:
- Control stress: Stress can cause you to engage in habits, such as eating unhealthy foods and drinking too much alcohol, which can affect your blood pressure.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Choose foods that are low in salt and low in saturated fat.
- Get plenty of exercise: The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activities, such as walking, every week. Add strength training exercises, such as weightlifting, twice a week.
- Limit your alcohol intake: Men should drink only two drinks a day, and women should drink only one.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of your weight compared with your height. Aim for a BMI score between 18 to 25.
- Quit smoking if you smoke: Cigarette smoke damages your heart as much as it damages your lungs.
Medications
If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, your provider may prescribe medication to help lower your blood pressure. Some types of blood pressure medications act on the heart and blood vessels. Others remove excess fluid or salt from the body.
To help your medication(s) work as well as possible:
- Take your medication at the same time each day.
- Write yourself notes, use an alarm or keep your pills by your toothbrush to remember to take them.
- Ask your provider what you should do if you miss a pill.
- Never stop taking your medication unless your provider tells you to. Stopping on your own could be harmful.
Find a location near you
Being proactive about your health goes a long way to helping you avoid high blood pressure and its many complications. Your cardiologists can work with you to keep your blood pressure under control.
Baylor Scott & White cardiologists are available at our many heart and vascular locations throughout Central and North Texas.
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth II
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Dallas
621 N Hall St Ste 120, Dallas, TX, 75226
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Dallas
621 N Hall St Ste 500, Dallas, TX, 75226
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Mesquite
1575 Interstate 30 , Mesquite, TX, 75150
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Midway
4431 E US Hwy 287 , Midlothian, TX, 76065
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Park Cities
9101 N Central Expy Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75231
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Red Oak
301 E Ovilla Rd Ste 100, Red Oak, TX, 75154
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E Ste 110, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiothoracic Surgery - Irving
1110 Cottonwood Ln Ste 215, Irving, TX, 75038
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Frisco at PGA Parkway
16050 Everwell Ln Ste 600, Frisco, TX, 75033
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Grapevine
2020 W State Hwy 114 Ste 200, Grapevine, TX, 76051
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Highland Village
1401 Shoal Creek Ste 240, Highland Village, TX, 75077
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Keller
620 S Main St Ste 240, Keller, TX, 76248
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Plano
6000 W Spring Creek Pkwy Ste 220, Plano, TX, 75024
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants - Plano II
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 450 , Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:45 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Consultants at The Star
3800 Gaylord Pkwy Ste 910, Frisco, TX, 75034
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Specialists - Mesquite
5308 N Galloway Ave Ste 201, Mesquite, TX, 75150
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiovascular Specialists - Rockwall
6705 Heritage Pkwy Ste 202, Rockwall, TX, 75087
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Downtown
200 E Cesar Chavez St Ste G140, Austin, TX, 78701
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Jollyville Road
11673 Jollyville Rd Ste 205, Austin, TX, 78759
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Monday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin North Burnet
2608 Brockton Dr , Austin, TX, 78758
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Northwest
9800 N Lake Creek Pkwy Ste 200, Austin, TX, 78717
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin Oak Hill
5251 US 290 , Austin, TX, 78735
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Austin River Place
10815 Ranch Rd 2222 , Austin, TX, 78730
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Bee Cave
16018 W SH 71 , Bee Cave, TX, 78738
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Brenham Hwy 290
604 US 290 , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Buda Medical Center
5330 Overpass Rd Ste 100, Buda, TX, 78610
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Cedar Park
910 E Whitestone Blvd , Cedar Park, TX, 78613
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - College Station Arrington Road
1296 Arrington Rd Ste 100, College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:15 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:15 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:15 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:15 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - College Station Rock Prairie
800 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - College Station University Drive
1700 University Dr E , College Station, TX, 77840
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - College Station Wellborn
15195 Wellborn Rd , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Copperas Cove
239 W US Hwy 190 , Copperas Cove, TX, 76522
- Monday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Georgetown
4945 Williams Dr , Georgetown, TX, 78633
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Georgetown West
7451 W State Hwy 29 , Georgetown, TX, 78628
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Hutto
120 Ed Schmidt Blvd Suites B, E & F, Hutto, TX, 78634
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:20 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:20 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:20 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:20 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 2:50 pm
Baylor Scott & White Clinic - Killeen
3801 Scott and White Dr , Killeen, TX, 76543
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 4:00 am
- Sunday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm