When systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall into different categories, the higher category should be selected to classify the individual's blood pressure status. In addition to classifying stages of hypertension on the basis of average blood pressure levels, clinicians should specify presence or absence of target organ disease and additional risk factors. This specificity is important for risk classification and treatment. However, unusually low readings should be evaluated for clinical significance. Based on the average of two or more readings taken at each of two or more visits after an initial screening.
Many times there are no symptoms until a major problem develops.
If you do develop symptoms, these might include headaches, nose bleeds, racing or irregular heartbeats, and dizziness. The cause of hypertension is not known in 90 percent of cases. When the cause is not known, it is called essential or primary hypertension. Known causes include kidney or thyroid disease. Many risk factors are linked with hypertension, including race, stress, obesity, smoking, heavy drinking, genetics, age, and inactivity.