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Blood pressure is a measure of how hard blood pushes against blood vessel walls as it circulates in the body. Each beat of the heart pushes blood throughout the body. A blood pressure measurement shows the pressure created by the heart muscle as it contracts and relaxes. Blood pressure increases when the blood is forced out of the heart into the arteries (systole phase). Pressure decreases when the heart relaxes between beats (diastole phase).
There are two numbers recorded when measuring blood pressure. The top number, or systolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the body. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest and is filling with blood. Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are reported as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). This represents how high the mercury column is raised by the pressure of the blood.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories. Ideal blood pressure is categorized as normal.
Stage 2 hypertension, or advanced hypertension, is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. This level of high blood pressure requires immediate medical attention. If left untreated, stage 2 hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attack, and serious damage to the kidneys, eyes, and brain.
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is a leader in advanced hypertension treatment. Norton Heart & Vascular Institute physicians are at the forefront of cardiovascular care such as the Symplicity Spyral renal denervation (RDN) system — also known as the Symplicity blood pressure procedure. This minimally invasive procedure targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure.
Our physicians are also researchers who lead clinical trials into new and experimental treatments. That means patients can get early access to leading-edge therapies, and once the treatments are approved for broad use, our physicians are already deeply experienced.
Treating high blood pressure depends on many factors, including your age, overall health, whether you have another chronic condition and what treatments have been tried without success.
Your health care team may start with these lifestyle changes to help control and lower blood pressure before moving on to more intensive treatment. Lifestyle modifications include:
Dietary changes such as the DASH diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension), which focuses on eating plenty of vegetables, lowering sodium, getting enough low-fat protein and consuming low-fat dairy.
Regular physical activity can help reduce blood pressure and help control weight.
Weight management may help lower blood pressure, reduce physical stress on the body and prevent other conditions from developing, including heart disease.
Stress management may help lower blood pressure by reducing the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can make the body feel like it’s in “fight or flight” mode.
Limiting alcohol and caffeine may reduce blood pressure, because alcohol can make blood vessels squeeze, causing a rise in blood pressure. Caffeine can force the body to release stress hormones.
Smoking cessation is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Quitting smoking can improve circulation, reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers, and improve blood pressure.
Advanced hypertension often requires more than one medication to manage the condition most effectively. Common combinations include a diuretic and ACE inhibitor or a calcium channel blocker and an ARB
The Symplicity Spyral renal denervation (RDN) system — also known as the Symplicity blood pressure procedure — is a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure. After a patient is sedated, the doctor inserts a very thin tube into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then sends electrical pulses to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind. The Symplicity high blood pressure treatment is a proven way to help reduce blood pressure when medications and lifestyle changes aren’t enough. Some 25,000 patients around the globe have been treated with the Symplicity procedure.
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is the first hospital system in the area to provide renal denervation via the Symplicity Spyral.
Without hypertension treatment, complications may result, including:
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers advanced care at all of our adult-service hospitals to save hearts and lives.
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers patient resources to support you and your family, including free classes for people of all ages who want to improve cardiovascular health or are living with a heart condition.