The short answer is no, but hot flashes can occur with a mixture of factors that can also cause high blood pressure. 

That’s because high blood pressure and hot flashes can both originate from thyroid illnesses, anxiety, being overweight, and sudden hormone changes such as menopause. 

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can be described as when the force of your blood against your artery walls is too high. 

You are considered to have high blood pressure when your blood pressure is 140/90* and up, and severe hypertension is 180/120 or above.

*This is usually read as “140 over 90.” The first number is your systolic pressure—the maximum pressure your heart produces—and the bottom number is your diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in your blood vessels between heartbeats. You can learn more here.

If high blood pressure goes untreated it can lead to a range of health concerns such as stroke or heart disease.

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can be a tricky condition because a lot of times, there are no symptoms. This is why it’s sometimes (ominously) referred to as “the silent killer.” 

The few people who do show symptoms might experience:

• Headaches

• Shortness of breath

• Nosebleeds

But—these usually only show up once high blood pressure is severe. And even if you experience those symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have high blood pressure.

Having a doctor measure your blood pressure is the only way to tell if you have hypertension. 

If you’re concerned you may be at risk, talk to your doctor.

Who is most at-risk?

Older people

Your risk for high blood pressure increases as you age. In this sense, everyone’s at risk, which is why it’s sensible to have an annual check-up with your doctor.

Women

Birth control medication, pregnancy, and menopause can all cause high blood pressure, which puts women (overall) at slightly higher risk than men. 

People of African descent

Statistically, people of African descent are more likely to develop high blood pressure—and more likely to develop it earlier in life—than Caucasians.

Smokers

Smoking increases your blood pressure immediately, and puts you at risk for all sorts of other illnesses. Don’t smoke. And if you do smoke, make a plan to quit.

Heavy Drinkers

If you consume alcohol, do it in moderation. That means no more than:

• 1 drink per day for women

• 2 drinks per day for men

“1 drink” = 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor (80 proof).

People who are overweight or obese

The size of your body determines how much blood you need to deliver oxygen to your organs and tissues. If you’re overweight, blood flow increases, and thus increases the pressure against the walls of your blood vessels and arteries.

People with high-sodium diets

Salt can cause you to retain water, which increases blood flow and blood pressure. The FDA recommends 2,300 mg of sodium per day (about a teaspoon) for the average person. 

Families with a history of hypertension

High blood pressure is often inherited, so if you have family members who suffer from it, it makes good sense to talk to your doctor about your risk.

Inactive people

People who live sentient lifestyles (think: sitting all day, not moving around much) typically have higher heart rates. That means the heart works harder to pump blood and thus increases blood pressure. 

Being active is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to lower your risk of high blood pressure.

People with chronic conditions and stress

Kidney disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and stress have all been associated with high blood pressure. If you suffer from any of these, talk to your doctor about how best to manage your condition to reduce your risk of hypertension.

How is high blood pressure treated?

If you read through the list above, you probably noticed that a lot of risk factors for high blood pressure are related to your lifestyle—that is, things within your control.

So, doctors usually start to treat high blood pressure by recommending some combination of:

• More exercise/activity

• Quitting smoking

• Drinking in moderation

• Adopting a healthy or low-sodium diet

If you have advanced hypertension, your doctor may also prescribe medicine. 

What are the most common high blood pressure medications?

Here are some of the most common high blood pressure medications:

• Valsartan

• Guanfacine 

• Aldactone

• Cleviprex

• Diovan

• Mavik

• Edarbi

A HealthTap primary care doctor can help you choose which medication is right for you based on your medical history and background.

Can you see an online doctor for high blood pressure?

Yes. 

HealthTap’s primary care doctors can help you navigate your health journey and provide high blood pressure prescriptions online. 

Talk to a doctor who knows you and schedule a HealthTap appointment today.