Hypertension Treatment in the Emergency Room

High blood pressure is a common problem that affects many people and can significantly impact health. The good news is that Prestige Emergency Room in San Antonio can help with all types of high blood pressure problems, from persistent hypertension to a hypertensive emergency.

What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?

High blood pressure is when the pressure within your body’s arteries is abnormally high. This forces your heart to work harder to pump blood against the resistance in your blood vessels. Over time, high blood pressure can lead to a myriad of health issues, including:

Heart attacks and strokes.
Heart failure.
Kidney disease.
Dementia.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Many people with high blood pressure don’t notice any symptoms, which is why it’s often referred to as the “silent killer.” Damage to your blood vessels, kidneys, brain, and coronary arteries can be happening for years without symptoms.

It’s usually only when blood pressure becomes dangerously high that some people may experience:

Headaches.
Bloody noses.
Shortness of breath.
Chest pain.
Palpitations.
Blurred vision.
Anxiety.
Dizziness.
Nausea and vomiting.

If you have these symptoms along with a blood pressure of 180/120 or higher, call 911 or visit an emergency room right away. This is a hypertensive emergency and requires rapid treatment.

Hypertension Treatment in the Emergency Room

Prestige ER is fully equipped to manage a hypertensive crisis, and our experienced providers can diagnose and treat this emergency situation with expertise and care. We can also provide high blood pressure treatment for less emergent blood pressure concerns.

Your provider will assess your blood pressure, discuss your medical history and symptoms, and choose the appropriate treatment to bring your blood pressure down to safer levels and ensure it stays controlled. Our San Antonio locations feature onsite labs that enable us to quickly check important blood work. We are also equipped with diagnostic imaging like X-rays and CT scans.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There are many reasons for high blood pressure. Based on its cause, hypertension can be classified as either primary or secondary.

Primary Hypertension. This type of high blood pressure has no specific cause and develops over time. This is the most common type.
Secondary Hypertension. This is high blood pressure caused by other conditions, such as congenital heart defects, kidney disease, sleep apnea, thyroid issues, or tumors of the adrenal gland. Certain medications can also cause secondary hypertension.

Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure

As part of diagnosing hypertension, your provider will typically discuss your medical history, any chronic conditions, medications you take, and any symptoms. They will use a blood pressure cuff to measure your blood pressure on one or both upper arms. Your provider may check your pressure on a few separate occasions and may instruct you to check it at home.

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in your arteries while your heart pumps blood. Diastolic blood pressure represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.

In a blood pressure result, the systolic reading is listed above the diastolic. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. A blood pressure of 130/80 or higher is typically considered high blood pressure.

Stages of High Blood Pressure

There are three stages of hypertension:

Elevated Blood Pressure. This is the stage just above normal blood pressure. In this stage, the top number (systolic) is between 120 and 129 mm Hg, and the bottom number (diastolic) is below 80 mm Hg.
Stage 1 Hypertension. The top number ranges from 130 to 139, and the bottom is between 80 and 89.
Stage 2 Hypertension. The top number is 140 or above, and the bottom is 90 or above.

Beyond these stages, blood pressure that exceeds 180/120 is called a hypertensive emergency and requires emergency hypertension treatment.

Prevention Tips for High Blood Pressure

Several things can help prevent high, uncontrolled blood pressure. There is a saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In other words, it is better to prevent a problem than try to fix it once it’s started. Changes to your lifestyle can help reduce certain risk factors for hypertension.

Dietary Adjustments and Nutritional Tips

Reduce salt in your diet. For some people, too much sodium can increase blood pressure.
Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Follow a heart-healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet.

Exercise and Stress Management for Blood Pressure Control

Exercise frequently.
Maintain a healthy weight or take steps to lose weight if you are overweight.
Take steps to reduce stress. If this is a problem, meeting with a therapist may be helpful.
Get adequate rest.
Don’t use alcohol to manage stress, as this can worsen blood pressure issues and have many other negative impacts on your health.

If you’ve been prescribed blood pressure medication, make sure you take it regularly to prevent the dangerous effects of hypertension. If your blood pressure remains high (or low), discuss this with your provider.

Get Immediate High Blood Pressure Treatment at Prestige Emergency Room

If you have blood pressure concerns, don’t hesitate to visit one of our Prestige Emergency Room locations throughout San Antonio. We provide prompt, expert emergency services for a wide range of health issues, injuries, and medical emergencies.