What is High Blood Pressure and When is it an Emergency?

High blood pressure is a condition that affects nearly half of all American adults, including nearly 38% of adults in Indiana. Many others, some living right here in Hamilton County don't even know they have it.

If you have high blood pressure, it means the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood.

In Indiana, about 9 out of every 100,000 people lose their lives each year due to complications from high blood pressure.

But understanding this condition is the first step toward managing it.

This guide will explain what high blood pressure is, how it affects your body, and when it becomes an emergency that requires immediate care.

How Your Blood Pressure Works

Your body’s tissues and organs need oxygen-rich blood, which your circulatory system carries throughout the body. Your heartbeat pushes this blood through a network of blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Blood pressure is the result of two distinct forces. The first, systolic pressure, is the pressure created when your heart pumps blood out into the arteries. The second, diastolic pressure, is the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. These two forces give you the two numbers in a blood pressure reading.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association classify blood pressure into four main categories:

• Normal blood pressure: Lower than 120/80 mm Hg.
• Elevated blood pressure: The top number (systolic) is 120–129 mm Hg, and the bottom number (diastolic) is below 80 mm Hg.
• Stage 1 hypertension: The top number is 130–139 mm Hg, or the bottom number is 80–89 mm Hg.
• Stage 2 hypertension: The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher, or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher.

When your blood pressure stays high for too long, it can damage the walls of your blood vessels, creating tiny tears. Your body tries to heal these tears, but over time, substances

like cholesterol and fats can build up at these spots, forming plaque. This process, called atherosclerosis, narrows your arteries, which can block blood flow and push your blood pressure even higher.

The "Silent Killer"

Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even when their readings reach dangerous levels. This is why it’s often called the "silent killer." You can have hypertension for years without knowing it.

In some cases, people with very high blood pressure might experience:

• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds

The only way to be sure if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly by a healthcare professional.

Several factors can contribute to developing high blood pressure.

Lifestyle and Diet:

• A diet high in salt
• Lack of regular physical activity
• High alcohol consumption
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Chronic stress

Medical and Genetic Factors:

• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems
• Sleep apnea
• A family history of hypertension
• Getting older, as blood vessels naturally lose flexibility

When Does High Blood Pressure Become an Emergency?

A sudden spike in blood pressure can become a hypertensive crisis. This is a serious situation that needs prompt medical attention. A hypertensive crisis is generally defined by a reading above 180/120 mm Hg and is divided into two categories.

Hypertensive Urgency

Your blood pressure is extremely high (above 180/120), and you are showing signs of organ damage. This is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate intervention in an emergency room.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience any of the following symptoms, head to the nearest Riverview Health Emergency & Urgent Care center immediately:

• Severe chest pain
• Severe headache with confusion or blurred vision
• Shortness of breath
• Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Seizures
• Extreme nausea or vomiting

These symptoms could be signs of a serious condition like a stroke or heart attack, and it’s better to act quickly rather than wait to see if the symptoms go away.

For sudden spikes in blood pressure without these emergency symptoms, reaching out to a healthcare provider is still a good idea. Our teams can check your blood pressure, provide guidance, and help you determine the next steps.

Steps to Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure

For long-term management, partnering with your primary care provider is key. They’ll work with you to create a plan that includes lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication to keep your blood pressure under control.

You can start at home by eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt, staying active, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and managing stress.

Get Immediate Care

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care is the only health system in Hamilton County offering ER and urgent care services under one roof. Unlike most ER or urgent care centers, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The urgent care center is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No appointments are necessary for in-person visits.

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care has four convenient locations:

• Riverview Health Westfield Hospital is located at 17600 Shamrock Blvd, Westfield, IN 46074, and may be reached at 317.214.5555.
• Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Carmel is located at 14585 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel, IN 46033, and may be reached at 317.406.4280.
• Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Fishers is located at 9690 E. 116th St., Fishers, IN 46037, and may be reached at 317.406.4585.
• Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care West Carmel/Zionsville is located at 10830 N. Michigan Rd., Zionsville, IN 46077, and may be reached at 317.406.4713.