High Blood Pressure

Call a doctor immediately if you have high blood pressure and:

• Your blood pressure is much higher than normal (such as 180/110 or higher).
• You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms such as:
  • Severe headache, especially pulsating headaches behind the eyes.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Nausea or vomiting.

These are symptoms of Reference malignant high blood pressure or hypertensive crisis.

Call a doctor if:

• Your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher on two or more occasions.
• You think you may be having side effects from your blood pressure medicine.
• Your blood pressure is usually normal and well controlled, but it goes above the normal range on more than one occasion.

Adults are encouraged to have their blood pressure checked regularly.

Who to see

Your blood pressure can be checked:

• At a clinic where you work or go to school.
• At health fairs, fitness centers, community centers, fire stations, and ambulance stations.
• By a Reference nurse practitioner Opens New Window or Reference physician assistant Opens New Window.
• By a primary care doctor.

For diagnosis and management of high blood pressure, see:

• A primary care doctor.
• An Reference internist Opens New Window.
• A Reference cardiologist Opens New Window (heart specialist). In general, a cardiologist is needed only in cases of extremely high blood pressure or when the person has other serious heart problems.
• A Reference nephrologist Opens New Window (kidney specialist), in extreme cases.
• A nurse practitioner.
• A physician assistant.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.