Blood is pushed through arteries by a heart that beats. The action of pushing the blood creates a pressure that the blood exerts on artery walls. This is called blood pressure and is measured in two numbers. The first number is the systolic pressure and occurs as the heart beats. This is the higher of the two numbers because it occurs as the heart actually pushes. The second number is the diastolic pressure and occurs in between beats. A systolic pressure of 140 or higher and a diastolic pressure of 90 or higher is considered high blood pressure.
Hypertensive Crisis
Most people do not experience any signs of high blood pressure. This is why high blood pressure is referred to as the silent killer. High blood pressure is also called hypertension, and for most people, the only way to know the condition exists is to have the blood pressure checked. However, during a hypertensive crisis, blood pressure rises to dangerous levels. A systolic number of 180 and a diastolic number of 120 or higher can damage blood vessels. The signs of an urgent hypertensive crisis are headaches, shortness of breath and severe anxiety. An emergency hypertensive crisis can lead to stroke and heart attack.
Angina
Angina is discomfort or pain in the chest that is caused by damage to arteries. This damage can be caused over time by high blood pressure. When the pain is persistent, recurring and usually occurs during exertion, it is called stable angina. When there is a new chest pain or a change in the pain associated with stable angina, it is called unstable angina and can be a sign of an impending heart attack.
Kidney Failure
High blood pressure over time can lead to kidney failure. Signs of kidney problems include puffiness of the eyes, a decrease in the volume of urine, back pain below the ribs, and urine that is bloody, has the color of coffee, or is foamy.
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