驴Qu茅 es la presi贸n arterial alta?
Quick Facts
- High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems.
- It’s important to have your blood pressure measured and to understand what your numbers mean.
La presi贸n arterial alta tambi茅n se conoce como hipertensi贸n. Se produce cuando la fuerza que ejerce la sangre contra las paredes de los vasos sangu铆neos es demasiado alta. La presi贸n arterial alta puede provocar otros problemas graves, como ataques card铆acos听测 .
Mira el video:
Conoce tus cifras.
Casi la mitad de los adultos estadounidenses sufre de presi贸n arterial alta. Muchos ni siquiera saben que la padecen. La 煤nica forma de saber si tienes presi贸n arterial alta es someterte a una revisi贸n de esta. La presi贸n arterial alta la debe diagnosticar un profesional de la salud.聽 聽
Obt茅n m谩s informaci贸n sobre tus valores de presi贸n arterial y su significado.
| CATEGOR脥A DE LA PRESI脫N ARTERIAL | SIST脫LICA mmHg (n煤mero m谩s alto) | o | DIAST脫LICA mmHg (n煤mero m谩s bajo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORMAL | MENOS DE 120 | y | MENOS DE 80 |
| ELEVADA | 120 鈥� 129 | y | MENOS DE 80 |
| PRESI脫N ARTERIAL ALTA (HIPERTENSI脫N) NIVEL聽1 | 130 鈥� 139 | o | 80 鈥� 89 |
| PRESI脫N ARTERIAL ALTA (HIPERTENSI脫N) NIVEL聽2 | 140 O SUPERIOR | o | 90 O SUPERIOR |
| CRISIS HIPERTENSIVA (consulta tu m茅dico inmediatamente) | SUPERIOR A 180 | o | SUPERIOR A 120 |
Take Control of Your Blood Pressure
Is your blood pressure in a healthy range? The best way to know is to get it checked.
Then, enter your numbers into this calculator to see which blood pressure category the reading is in.
Systolic Pressure
Diastolic Pressure
Normal Blood Pressure
-
{{item.value}}
Elevated Blood Pressure
-
{{item.value}}
This blood pressure reading is in the elevated range. Unless steps are taken to control it, elevated blood pressure can turn into high blood pressure.
It’s important to recheck your blood pressure with your health care team. They can confirm if this reading is within your target blood pressure range and discuss any steps you might need to take to keep it in a healthy range. Lifestyle changes can help.
High Blood Pressure Stage 1
-
{{item.value}}
High Blood Pressure Stage 2
-
{{item.value}}
Severe Hypertension
-
{{item.value}}
This blood pressure reading is in the severe hypertension range.
- Wait at least 1 minute.
- Take your blood pressure again.
If your readings are still high, call your health care professional.
If your blood pressure is higher than 180 and/or 120 mm Hg and you have any of these symptoms, call 911: chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking.
Blood pressure and the circulatory system
Your tissues and organs need the blood your circulatory system carries through the body. Your heartbeat makes this happen by pushing blood through the blood vessels. These vessels include arteries, veins and capillaries.
Blood pressure is the result of two forces. The first force (systolic pressure) happens as blood pumps out of the heart and into the arteries. The second force (diastolic pressure) is created as the heart rests between heart beats. These two forces are each represented by numbers in a blood pressure reading.
The damage starts in your arteries and heart.
.
When blood pressure is high for too long, it can damage the walls of blood vessels, causing them to develop tiny tears. To fix these damaged areas, the body sends special cells that stick to the site. Over time, substances such as cholesterol and fats may also build up at these damaged spots, forming plaque.
As plaque slowly builds, a process called atherosclerosis, it can make the inside of the arteries narrower. This narrowing can block the flow of blood, further increasing blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a 'silent killer.'
- Most of the time there are no obvious symptoms.
- Certain physical traits and lifestyle choices can raise your risk of high blood pressure.
- Untreated high blood pressure can cause heart attack, stroke and other health threats.
Preventing and managing high blood pressure
- It’s best to avoid high blood pressure altogether. Healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking, eating a healthy diet and being physically active can help.
- If you have high blood pressure, work with your health care professional to control it. This may mean taking medications in addition to making healthy lifestyle changes.
Controlling your blood pressure will help you live a longer, healthier life.
Get the high blood pressure fact sheet: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
