Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension Care at UVM Health

Blood is constantly flowing through your body’s network of blood vessels due to pressure generated by the heart pumping and the blood vessels contracting and relaxing. When blood pressure is too high (hypertension), the force of the blood moving through the arteries increases. Uncontrolled hypertension can damage your arteries and cause other serious health conditions including stroke, heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

A team of experts at University of Vermont Health works together in convenient locations across Vermont and northern New York to manage high blood pressure and prevent complications.

Close-up of someone having their blood pressure taken.

Why Choose UVM Health?

Your care team may include board-certified cardiologists and nephrologists (kidney specialists) who help manage the effects of high blood pressure on your heart, blood vessels and kidneys.

As one of the leading hypertension management programs in the region, we offer:

Skilled experts: Our specialists have years of experience diagnosing and treating all types of hypertension. We work together to monitor how high blood pressure affects other health conditions you may have, such as chronic kidney disease.
Personalized approach: It can take time to bring high blood pressure under control. We get to know you and create a hypertension treatment plan designed for your unique health needs and lifestyle.
Advanced research: As part of a health system anchored by an academic center, our physician-leaders participate in research and innovation to improve patient care. Your provider may talk with you about participating in a clinical trial or research study.

Hypertension Symptoms

Elevated blood pressure may not cause noticeable symptoms. If blood pressure becomes very high (180/120 or higher), you may have:

Chest pain
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Vision changes

Diagnosing Hypertension

Risk factors for developing high blood pressure include:

Diet too high in salt, calories, animal protein and fat or low in fruits and vegetables
Family history of high blood pressure
Personal history of diabetes, kidney disease or obesity
Pregnancy
Sedentary lifestyle
Tobacco use and excessive alcohol

We take these factors into account when making a hypertension diagnosis. A definitive diagnosis comes from a blood pressure reading, in which your provider places a cuff around your upper arm. They inflate the cuff with a pump and use a stethoscope to listen to blood flow through an artery in your upper arm while the cuff deflates.

Some providers use an automated device to perform a blood pressure test. The device causes the cuff to tighten and release on your arm while it measures your blood pressure.

Two numbers make up a blood pressure reading:

Systolic blood pressure: The first (top) number is a measure of the pressure on your artery walls when your heart contracts during a heartbeat.
Diastolic blood pressure: The second (bottom) number is a measure of the pressure on your artery walls between heart contractions.

A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80. Your provider may diagnose you with high blood pressure if your blood pressure is 130/80 or higher.

Hypertension Treatment

Treating hypertension isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Our specialists create a personalized care plan based on your health needs and lifestyle. You may also need treatment for an underlying health condition, such as chronic kidney disease or diabetes, that affects your blood pressure.

Lifestyle Changes

If your blood pressure is at least 130/80 but lower than 140/90, we may recommend lifestyle changes proven to reduce blood pressure. We’ll work together to help you:

Avoid or limit drinks with alcohol
Eat a healthy, low-salt diet with adequate protein, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables
Exercise
Find healthy ways to cope with stress
Stay at a weight that’s healthy for you
Stop smoking or using tobacco

Medications

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower blood pressure, medication may help. Our specialists will work with you to find the medication option that works best for you.

Your provider may recommend:

Alpha blockers: Medications that help blood vessels stay flexible and relaxed
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: Drugs that limit your body’s production of angiotensin II, a blood chemical that causes arteries to contract
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs): Medications that block the effects of angiotensin II
Beta blockers: Drugs that help slow your heartbeat and reduce blood flow
Calcium channel blockers: Medications that help open blood vessels that have become contracted
Vasodilators: Drugs that help blood vessels relax and widen so blood can flow freely

If you have chronic kidney disease and blood pressure that is 130/80 or higher, your nephrologist may recommend that you also take water pills (diuretics) to reduce the amount of fluid in your body.

Wellness & Prevention

Evidence shows that proactive health care focused on preventing illness leads to better outcomes. We're here to help you live a healthier, happier life. We offer wellness and prevention services to empower you to take control of your health.

Learn more

Hypertension Complications

Over time, high blood pressure can increase your risk of many serious health conditions, including:

Uncontrolled high blood pressure may cause blood vessels to become narrow, including the blood vessels in your kidneys, and cause kidney function to decline. When kidney blood vessels are damaged, the kidney cannot filter your blood efficiently or maintain the chemical composition of the body. This can lead to kidney failure.

Other underlying health conditions (such as chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea or an excess of hormones) can cause resistant hypertension, or high blood pressure that doesn’t respond well to treatment. Our multidisciplinary specialists work together to create personalized treatment plans to help control hypertension affected by other health conditions.