Skip to main content

Vanderbilt Health

MENU

×

Find a Doctor

Locations and Parking

Make an Appointment

A-Z Services

Health Library

Patient and Visitor Information

Pay Your Bill

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt University

Research

For Patients and Visitors

Resources for Employees and Researchers

Locations and Parking

Search for a Location

Feedback

What area of Vanderbilt University Medical Center would you like to leave feedback?

My Health at Vanderbilt

Patient Experience and Care

www.Vanderbilthealth.com

Note: feedback is for non-emergency questions and suggestions regarding patient services and website functionality.

If you require immediate care, please call 911 or visit the Emergency Room.

Comments and Suggestions about www.Vanderbilthealth.com

Your E-mail (optional)

Your Phone Number (optional)

Cancel or

Home Conditions & Treatments Pediatric Health Library

Pediatric Health Library

Español

Español

Health Library Explorer

Search Library:

Browse A-Z Listings: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us

Conditions & Treatments
Health Centers
Drugs, Herbs & Supplements
Nutrition & General Wellness
Your Family
News Center
Healthy Living
Tools & Multimedia

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Click a letter to see a list of conditions beginning with that letter.

Click 'Topic Index' to return to the index for the current topic.

Click 'Library Index' to return to the listing of all topics.

Take the Blood Pressure Quiz

Do you know your risk factors for high blood pressure? You can’t do anything about some risk factors. But other risk factors can be changed. Learn about the risk factors for high blood pressure by taking this quiz.

1. At what age should you have your first screening for high blood pressure?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that a healthy adult get a first blood pressure check at age 18. If your blood pressure is normal at that time, and you do not have diabetes or other risk factors, you should then get your blood pressure checked every year. You should also be checked more often if you are at risk for high blood pressure. Your healthcare provider may suggest a different screening schedule if you have other health conditions.

A. 16B. 18C. 30D. 50

2. The numbers in a blood pressure reading:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Blood pressure readings measure the force of blood pushing against blood vessel (artery) walls as your heart pumps blood. They can change when you are dehydrated, nervous, or stressed. They can also change when you sleep, and when you wake up. They also change when you are active. Blood pressure goes up as you get older. It is also related to your body size. When blood pressure stays high over time, it can cause damage to different parts of the body. It can cause serious long-term problems.

A. Vary, depending on the time of day your blood pressure is checkedB. Get lower with high levels of stressC. Are the same for people of the same age and weightD. Stay the same throughout the day

3. What is the most common symptom of high blood pressure?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Because it usually has no obvious symptoms, high blood pressure (hypertension) is called the silent killer.

A. Racing heartbeatB. High body temperatureC. FatigueD. It has no symptoms that you notice

4. Which of these can increase your risk of high blood pressure?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

A direct cause isn't known in most cases, however.

A. ObesityB. A family history of high blood pressureC. SmokingD. All of the above

5. At what point is blood pressure considered "high"?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

You have high blood pressure when your blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg on several separate occasions. Blood pressure can be normal, elevated, or stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure:

Normal blood pressure is 120/80. This means a systolic reading of less than 120 and a diastolic reading of less than 80.
Elevated blood pressure is a systolic reading of 120 to 129 and a diastolic reading of less than 80.
Stage 1 high blood pressure is a systolic reading of 130 to 139 or a diastolic reading between 80 and 89.
Stage 2 high blood pressure is a systolic reading of 140 or higher or a diastolic reading of 90 or higher.

A. 120 over 80B. 130 over 80C. 140 over 90D. 210 over 120

6. High blood pressure is the main cause of which of these?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Over time, high blood pressure damages blood vessels. This damage is called arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. These conditions increase your risk not only for stroke, but also heart attacks and kidney disease.

A. CancerB. StrokesC. DiabetesD. Congestive heart failure

7. Which of these contribute to high blood pressure?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Excessive drinking increases heart rate. This puts pressure on vessel walls. Three to five drinks a day over a long period can cause high blood pressure.

A. Getting a lot of vitamin CB. Drinking a lot of alcoholC. Getting a lot of calciumD. All of the above

8. In which age group of men does the risk for high blood pressure go up?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Aging directly relates to an increase in risk. Men tend to see their blood pressure go up in their 50s. Women's blood pressure tends to increase in their 60s.

A. 40 to 49B. 50 to 59C. 60 to 69D. 70 to 79

9. Why does reducing how much salt you eat help prevent high blood pressure?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

People who are very sensitive to salt have blood pressure that reacts a lot to salt. Experts advise that adults--no matter what age, ethnic background, or health conditions--consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day. In some cases, your healthcare provider may tell you to cut your sodium intake even more.

A. It reduces fluid buildup in the bodyB. It allows vessels to relaxC. It raises levels of HDL ("good") cholesterolD. It helps keep your heartbeat steady

10. What can you do to control high blood pressure?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Although you can't change certain risk factors such as age and family health history, you can choose a lifestyle that promotes heart health.

A. Get to and stay at a healthy weightB. Exercise regularlyC. Take the blood pressure medicine prescribed by your doctorD. All of the above

Your score was:

Online Medical Reviewer: Clayton, Anne, APRN
Online Medical Reviewer: Kang, Steven, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Wojcik, Stacey, MBA, BSN, RN

Date Last Reviewed: 6/1/2021

© 2000-2023 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Doctor Call to Action

Appointment Call to Action

Locations Call to Action

Find a Doctor Make an Appointment Locations and Directions

Related Items

Patient Education

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Controlling High Blood Pressure
View All 18

Diseases and Conditions

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)
View All 4

Pediatric Diseases and Conditions

Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy

High Blood Pressure in Children and Teens
View All 3

Tests and Procedures

Sodium (Urine)

Articles

All About Blood Pressure Medicine

Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home
View All 7

News

1 in 5 Hospitalized NYC COVID-19 Patients Needed ICU Care

10 Ways You Can Cut Your Risk for Dementia
View All 246

Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements

Fiber

Garlic
View All 5

Interactive Tools

Blood Pressure Quiz

Videos

Eating Well with High Blood Pressure

Step-by-Step: Checking Your Blood Pressure
View All 4

StayWell Disclaimer | Manage Cookie Preferences| Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Request an Appointments

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical help immediately.

We will contact you within one business day to review your appointment request.

1. Type of care and preferred times

Some specialties may require a referral prior to scheduling an appointment.

Briefly describe the reason for the appointment

Select a day

Check all that apply

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

No Preference

Select a time

Check all that apply

Morning

Afternoon

No Preference

2. About the patient

Has the patient received care at Vanderbilt before?

Yes No Don't Know

Did you know you can request an appointment directly with one of your doctors at My Health at Vanderbilt?

Patient first name

Patient last name

Patient date of birth

/ /

Patient Zip Code

Phone number

Best time to reach you

Check all that apply

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Google+
Read our blog

Health Library
Find a Doctor
Patient & Visitor Info
Locations
My Health at Vanderbilt

For Referring Physicians
Giving
Volunteer
Media
Quality Answers

Careers
Pay your Bill
About VUMC
Privacy Policy

Popular Links
A-Z Services
Medical Record Information
Key Telephone Numbers
Make an Appointment

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1211 Medical Center Drive
Nashville, TN 37232

Through the exceptional capabilities and caring spirit of its people, Vanderbilt will lead in improving the healthcare of individuals and communities regionally, nationally and internationally. We will combine our transformative learning programs and compelling discoveries to provide distinctive personalized care.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Copyright © 2017 by Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt®, Vanderbilt University Medical Center®, V Oak Leaf Design®, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt® and Vanderbilt Health® are trademarks of The Vanderbilt University.

Feedback

What area of Vanderbilt University Medical Center would you like to leave feedback?

My Health at Vanderbilt

Patient Experience and Care

www.Vanderbilthealth.com

Note: feedback is for non-emergency questions and suggestions regarding patient services and website functionality.

If you require immediate care, please call 911 or visit the Emergency Room.

Comments and Suggestions about www.Vanderbilthealth.com

Your E-mail (optional)

Your Phone Number (optional)

Cancel or

Doctors Directory

Last Name

First Name

Search by name, specialty or location.

Insurance Plans accepted by all of our doctors >

Insurance Plans

Vanderbilt University Medical Center accepts the following insurance plans. For information about specific contract coverage, please contact your health plan directly.