Blood Pressure Screening
What Is Blood Pressure Screening?
Why Is The Procedure Used?
To screen for hypertension:
1.Malignant hypertension is extremely high blood pressure that develops rapidly and causes some type of organ damage. "Normal" blood pressure is below 140/90. A person with malignant hypertension has a blood pressure that's typically above 180/120. Malignant hypertension should be treated as a medical emergency.
In many people, high blood pressure is the main cause of malignant hypertension. Missing doses of blood pressure medications can also cause it. In addition, there are certain medical conditions that can cause it. They include:
- Collagen vascular disease, such as scleroderma
- Kidney disease
- Spinal cord injuries
- Tumor of the adrenal gland
- Use of certain medications, including birth control pills and MAOIs
- Use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine
Who Should Have The Procedure?
When Should The Procedure Be Done?
What Are The Normal Results Of The Procedure?
Top number (systolic) in mm HgBottom number (diastolic) in mm HgYour category*What to do †
*Ranges may be lower for children and teenagers. Talk to your child's doctor if you're concerned your child has high blood pressure.
†Note: These recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition. If you also have heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or certain other conditions, you may need to treat your blood pressure more aggressively.
Below 120and Below 80Normal blood pressureMaintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Between 120-139or Between 80-89PrehypertensionMaintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Between 140-159or Between 90-99Stage 1 hypertensionMaintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. If your blood pressure goal isn't reached in about a month, talk to your doctor about taking one or more medications.
160 or higheror 100 or higherStage 2 hypertensionMaintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about taking more than one medication.