The first blood pressure value is also elevated | Increase of the second blood pressure value

The first blood pressure value is also elevated

In most cases of hypertension, the first blood pressure value is too high in addition to the second. This is then the classic high blood pressure. The first blood pressure value should ideally be 120 mmHg.

By definition, high blood pressure is defined as values of more than 140 mmHg. The causes are, as with the increase of only the second value, above all overweight, unhealthy nutrition, smoking, alcohol and a generally unhealthy lifestyle. Also with the age the first blood pressure value rises.

However, often no exact cause can be found. If the first blood pressure value is also too high, adequate treatment should be initiated. Even more than an increase in the second value, a permanent increase in the first blood pressure value causes long-term damage.

It usually takes years before the first signs of this become apparent. Long-term treatment, even without symptoms, is extremely important to prevent this long-term damage. As in the treatment of diastolic hypertension, ACE inhibitors, dehydration tablets and beta blockers are available.

Increased second blood pressure value during pregnancy

Many different blood pressure-associated pregnancy disorders can occur during pregnancy. One speaks of pregnancy-induced hypertension (a blood pressure that is triggered by pregnancy) from a second blood pressure value of 90 mmHg. A severe increase is diastolically present from 110 mmHg. If protein excretion also occurs in the urine, this is known as pre-eclampsia. The resulting eclampsia and HELLP syndrome can be accompanied by severe complications for mother and child.

Symptoms

High blood pressure usually persists for a long time without those affected noticing it. Many thousands of people in Germany live with high blood pressure without knowing it. Symptoms therefore usually only appear when high blood pressure has reached an advanced stage.

The following symptoms are among the most common complaints:

The diagnosis of high blood pressure includes several things. They are often random diagnoses that are made during routine check-ups. The basis of the diagnosis, if the second blood pressure value is too high, is the blood pressure measurement.

Individual measurements are usually not sufficient. Thus, long-term blood pressure measurement is used, e.g. over 24 hours. This can be accompanied by a measurement of the heart action (ECG).

Here the only increase is shown by the second blood pressure value. The optimal value is 80 mmHg. A second blood pressure value between 80 and 90 mmHg is still normal.

90-100 mmHg means slight diastolic hypertension, between 100-110 mmHg it is moderate. A severe diastolic hypertension is present from values above this level. If the second blood pressure value is above 120 mmHg, this is called malignant hypertension, which can be accompanied by significant physical damage.

In addition to blood pressure measurement, blood tests, heart function tests and possibly computer tomography are used to identify the causes. An extensive survey of lifestyle habits and circumstances also helps. Of particular interest here are sporting activities, nutrition and the question of nicotine and alcohol consumption.