What Is Stage 3 Hypertension?

If you want to know, "What is stage 3 hypertension?" you will need to find out soon, because hypertension has been called the "silent killer." This is because, most of the time, there are no symptoms, and then you suffer a heart attack.

Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. How high it is determines the stage and treatment. Blood pressure is the force of the blood exerted on the walls of the arteries as it is circulated in the body. There are two readings to your blood pressure; systolic and diastolic. Systolic is when the pressure is at its highest, diastolic is the pressure at its lowest, taken between heart beats. When recorded, the systolic is the first number; the diastolic is the second number.  Following is information on blood pressure and hypertension, along with follow-up procedures:

• Normal:  Less than 130/85, recheck in two years
• High normal  130/85 to 139/89, recheck in one year
• Hypertension Stage 1  140/90 to 159/99, recheck within two months
• Hypertension Stage 2  160/100 to 179/109, evaluate within one month
• Hypertension Stage 3  180+/110+, evaluate immediately

What Is Stage 3 Hypertension?

Hypertension makes your heart work harder to pump blood. If left untreated, it can cause serious problems such as:

• Hardening of the arteries
• Enlargement of the heart
• Kidney failure
• Eye damage that could result in blindness
• Stroke
• Heart attack

For Stage One Hypertension, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes, which include: exercise, weight loss, diet modification, alcohol restrictions, and quitting smoking. Your doctor may let you try these modifications for a few months, and if they are not successful in bringing down your blood pressure, medication will be prescribed.

Stage Two Hypertension is usually caused by some other health problem. Your doctor may prescribe at least two medications for you in addition to lifestyle modifications. If those don't work, additional medications may be added to the other medications.

Stage Three Hypertension is extremely serious and you need to seek medical attention immediately. You could damage your organs, experience small hemorrhages of the eyes, or suffer a stroke or heart attack. Your doctor will treat this with antihypertensive medications.  

Who Is at Risk?

After you know the answer to, "What is stage 3 hypertension?" you may want to know, “Who is at risk to develop hypertension?” There are estimates that over 50 million people in the United States have high blood pressure.

Even though anyone can develop it, certain people are considered to be more at risk. People who live an unhealthy lifestyle are definitely at risk. This would include smoking, drinking a lot of alcohol, eating very salty and fatty foods, and people who experience a lot of stress. African-Americans, people who are obese, and people over 60 years old are also considered at high risk.

Estimates of the number of adults who have high blood pressure run as high as 20%. That number rises to 60% for senior citizens.  

Causes

Lastly, if you know the answer to the question, "What is stage 3 hypertension?” you may need to know “What causes it?” The main causes of hypertension include stress, lack of exercise, obesity, poor nutrition, alcoholism, and smoking. The actual cause of high blood pressure is unknown, but studies suggest that your chance of becoming hypertensive increases with age and weight. Some people think only obese people have hypertension, but this simply isn't the case. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you have other health issues.    

Blood Pressure Readings

Here are some tips for getting an accurate blood pressure reading. Make sure the cuff fits your arm. It should be snug, but not tight. If the circumference of your arm is more than 16 inches, you will need a bigger cuff, or the cuff can be placed on the forearm. Always rest for about five minutes before your blood pressure is taken. Inform whoever is taking your blood pressure if you are taking medications that can increase your blood pressure, like diet aids, certain cold medicines, allergy pills, or decongestants. Do not smoke or drink caffeine 30 minutes before your blood pressure is going to be checked. Wear comfortable clothing, sit up straight with your arm at the level of your heart and properly supported. Lastly, relax.  Many people feel anxious when they go to the doctor and this can raise your blood pressure.