In-Depth
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Risk factors
- Obesity Obesity — Comprehensive overview covers causes, treatment and prevention of this serious health risk.
- Hyperparathyroidism Hyperparathyroidism — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, treatment of this disorder of the parathyroid glands.
- Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices Birth control pill — Get answers to frequently asked questions about taking the pill.
Symptoms
- Symptom Checker Use this Symptom Checker to pinpoint possible causes of your medical symptoms.
Tests and diagnosis
- Blood pressure chart: What your reading means This blood pressure chart can help you understand what your blood pressure reading means.
- Microalbumin test Microalbumin test — Overview covers definition, preparation and results of this urine test.
- Blood pressure test Blood pressure test — Overview covers what to expect and results of this routine test.
Causes
- Stress and high blood pressure: What's the connection? Stress and high blood pressure — Discover how relaxation and exercise can improve your numbers.
- Membranous nephropathy Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment and causes of membranous nephropathy.
Complications
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm Abdominal aortic aneurysm — Comprehensive overview covers the symptoms and treatment of this dangerous condition.
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm Thoracic aortic aneurysm — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, screening and treatment of this serious condition.
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection Spontaneous coronary artery dissection — Comprehensive overview covers diagnosis, treatment of heart artery tear.
- High blood pressure and sex: Overcome the challenges High blood pressure can impact your sex life. Consider potential problems — and solutions.
- Enlarged heart Enlarged heart — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for this heart muscle condition.
- Brain aneurysm Brain aneurysm — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment of this potentially life-threatening disorder.
- High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension's effects on your body High blood pressure can cause other health complications. Find out more about these complications.
Treatments and drugs
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers Angiotensin II receptor blockers (angiotensin II inhibitors) treat conditions such as high blood pressure.
- Beta blockers Beta blockers treat high blood pressure, glaucoma and migraines. Discover more about these drugs.
- Calcium channel blockers Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium antagonists, treat a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, migraines and Raynaud's disease.
- Choosing blood pressure medications High blood pressure medications — Here are some options for high blood pressure medications.
- Alpha blockers Alpha blockers treat conditions such as high blood pressure and some prostate conditions.
- Central-acting agents Central-acting agents, also called central adrenergic inhibitors, treat several conditions, including high blood pressure.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors ACE inhibitors treat high blood pressure and other conditions. Discover more about these drugs.
- Diuretics Discover how diuretics — sometimes called water pills — treat high blood pressure and other conditions.
- Vasodilators Vasodilators treat many conditions, such as high blood pressure.
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure Exercise is a drug-free approach to lowering blood pressure. Here are tips on getting started.
- Stress and high blood pressure: What's the connection? Stress and high blood pressure — Discover how relaxation and exercise can improve your numbers.
- 10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication You can lower your blood pressure without medication. Try these 10 lifestyle changes.
- Sample menus for the DASH eating plan DASH diet: Plan your meals with these sample DASH menus.
- DASH diet: Top 5 tips for dining out DASH diet — Use these tips to avoid salt and fat while dining out.
- DASH diet: Top 5 tips for shopping and cooking DASH diet — Use these tips for easy ways to make healthier meals and snacks.
- Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep Better sleep can be yours! Consider sleep tips for the weary.
- DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure The DASH diet — Follow this eating approach for better blood pressure and other health benefits.
- DASH diet: Guide to recommended servings DASH diet: Use this table of recommended servings to plan meals.
- Get the most out of home blood pressure monitoring Discover how to use home blood pressure monitoring to reach your target numbers.
Alternative medicine
- Herbal supplements may not mix with heart medicines Some herbal supplements can have dangerous interactions with heart medications.


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