What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (hypertension) is consistent readings of 130/80 or higher. It usually has no symptoms — which is why it's nicknamed the "silent killer." Long-term, it raises risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, vision problems, and dementia.
About 1 in 2 US adults have hypertension. Most respond well to lifestyle changes plus 1–2 medications. Regular monitoring and follow-up matter more than the choice of any single drug.
Do I have high blood pressure? Common signs
If most of these describe what you're experiencing, telehealth may be a good next step:
What causes it
Primary (essential) hypertension — no single cause, multifactorial: genetics, age, weight, salt intake, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle. Secondary: kidney disease, sleep apnea, hormonal disorders, certain medications (NSAIDs, decongestants, oral contraceptives).
Is it contagious?
No.
Take your blood pressure at home — at the doctor's office, anxiety inflates readings. Home monitoring is the gold standard.
Can it be treated online?
Established hypertension with home BP readings is well-suited to telehealth follow-up. New diagnoses warrant in-person evaluation, ECG, and labs. Hypertensive emergencies (BP >180/120 with organ damage symptoms) are 911 calls.
How high blood pressure is treated
Lifestyle first: DASH diet, sodium <2.3g/day, exercise, weight loss, alcohol limits. Medications when needed: ACE inhibitors (lisinopril), ARBs (losartan), calcium channel blockers (amlodipine), thiazide diuretics (HCTZ). Often combinations work better than single drug at high dose.
Self-care while you wait
- Reduce sodium — read labels, cook at home
- DASH diet — fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein
- Exercise 30 min most days
- Limit alcohol to 1–2 drinks max
- Quit smoking
- Lose excess weight
- Manage stress
- Home BP monitor — record daily for 2 weeks then weekly
How long does it last?
Lifelong — but extremely well-controlled with adherence.
Frequently asked questions
What's a normal BP?
<120/80 is normal. 120–129/<80 is elevated. 130/80 or higher is stage 1 hypertension.
Do I need medication forever?
Usually yes — hypertension is chronic. Some people with significant lifestyle improvement can reduce or stop meds under medical supervision.
Does white-coat hypertension matter?
If your home BP is normal but office is high, that's white-coat. Generally less risky than sustained hypertension, but should be tracked.
Will exercise alone fix it?
Lifestyle changes can drop BP 5–20 mmHg — enough to avoid meds for mild cases. Moderate-to-severe needs both lifestyle AND meds.
Is salt really that bad?
For most people, yes — reducing sodium meaningfully lowers BP. About 30% are 'salt-sensitive' and see dramatic improvement.
