Hypertension

High blood pressure or hypertension affects approximately one in five adults in Canada. It is an important condition to recognize as significant complications (e.g., eye problems, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and/or heart failure) can occur if left untreated.

Hypertension is a persistent increase in arterial blood pressure over a 'normal' range. During routine medical exams, blood pressure can be measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer. In most people, hypertension is not diagnosed with a single reading, but is confirmed by three to five measurements over a six-month period.

According to the 2001 Canadian Hypertension recommendations, blood pressure lowering ('antihypertensive') medications should be prescribed for otherwise healthy individuals when the systolic blood pressure (top number) is '160' or greater and/or the diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) is '100' or greater. For people who smoke or who have other medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease, medication is recommended when the diastolic blood pressure exceeds '90'. The goal of treatment is to achieve a blood pressure less than '140/90'. More stringent goals are recommended in patients with diabetes or kidney disease.

Most patients with hypertension benefit from lifestyle changes, the most important of which is to stop smoking. Other lifestyle changes include eating a healthy diet, losing weight (if overweight), exercising several times a week, limiting consumption of high-salt foods and alcoholic beverages, and minimizing stress.

Treating hypertension helps reduce the risk of serious medical conditions. Education is important and your pharmacist can provide information on both medications and hypertension.