High blood pressure (hypertension) affects millions. Does it affect you, too?

Usually, there are no symptoms at all. Patients who do have symptoms may have:

• Blood in urine
• Confusion or fatigue
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Irregular heartbeat
• Nosebleeds
• Pounding in your ears, neck, or chest
• Shortness of breath
• Vision problems

Yes, and your HealthTap primary care doctor is a great place to start.

Our online doctors can assess your risk for high blood pressure online and help determine which stage of hypertension (if any) you're in. They can help you create a wellness plan to prevent or manage high blood pressure and, if necessary, they can write online prescriptions and electronically send them to your local pharmacy.

In many cases, you can prevent or help treat high blood pressure with simple lifestyle changes:

• Exercise often
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Lower your sodium intake
• Quit smoking
• Take steps to reduce your emotional stress

More advanced cases may require medication. There are many to choose from—your HealthTap doctor who knows your medical history can help choose the right ones for you.

High blood pressure risk factors can include:

• Age
• Over consumption of alcohol
• Race
• Family history
• Being overweight or obese
• Lack of physical activity
• Tobacco use
• High sodium intake
• Emotional stress
• Pregnancy

The good news is that several of these factors are within your control. And even for the ones that aren't, many things can be done to manage high blood pressure online.

Your blood pressure level is determined by two things. The amount of blood your heart pumps through your body's blood vessels and the amount of resistance to that blood flowing in your vessels.

Blood pressure ranges:

• Normal blood pressure range: below 120/80
• Prehypertension: 120-139 / 80-89
• High blood pressure stage 1: 140-159 / 90-99
• High blood pressure stage 2: 160-180 / 100-110
• Hypertensive crisis: above 180/110