As a rule, hypertension can be detected during a general medical examination, or a visit to the medical professional because of some other medical issue. Sometimes it happens that a person might be diagnosed that he has had a stroke or a heart attack and then are found to have hypertension as well.
Blood pressure is checked with the help of a devise known as sphygmomanometer. This device consists of an inflatable cuff placed around the upper arm and blown with air with the help of a rubber bulb. A sphygmomanometer works in the following way: as soon as the pressure in the cuff is high enough, it stops the blood circulation in the main artery, the air is gradually released from the cuff and as the pressure drops, noise of the blood flowing through the artery are heard with the help of a stethoscope. Automatic electronic devices have the same function but are more accurate and much easier in usage allowing patients to monitor their blood pressure their own.
Generally, a medical professional won’t be able to diagnose hypertension relying on one reading because blood pressure can fluctuate, so it takes typically three readings in succession, taken at different time, before a right diagnosis can be made.
The results which will be considered as an abnormal high blood pressure depend on a patient’s age. So, people below 65 years of age should have a blood pressure not higher than 130/85 mm Hg at rest state, and the patients who are over 65 years old – no more than 140/90 mm Hg.
If a patient’s blood pressure is detected to be high, a medical provider will carry out a medical examination in order to check whether any associated illness could be the cause of high blood pressure and also check if there is any damage to the organs of the body including the following: artery disease in the retina, signs of kidney disease, and others.
Even after 3 checks of blood pressure have been made, and the blood pressure is found to be normal, it should be checked regularly because the early signs of hypertension is much easier to manage.
Individuals who don’t have personal or family history of hypertension are recommended to have a medical check every two years. Those, who have personal or family history of hypertension, stroke or heart attack must be checked more often.