Hypertension in cats
What is feline hypertension?
Hypertension in cats
What is feline hypertension?
What is feline hypertension?
What is feline hypertension?
In cats, just like humans, high blood pressure (or hypertension, to use the technical term) is when the pressure in their blood vessels is unusually high. For the blood to reach every organ and every part of your cat’s body, it needs to be pumped through the blood vessels by the heart. The force or pressure exerted by the pumping action of the heart combined with factors that control the diameter of the blood vessels determines blood pressure. When this pressure is persistently elevated (above normal), we refer to it as high blood pressure and if left untreated, it can cause serious harm to your cat’s organs.
In humans hypertension is usually regarded as a primary disease (not caused by an obvious underlying disease). But in most cats, high blood pressure often develops as a consequence of an underlying health condition.
Older cats are at higher risk of having high blood pressure.
Hypertension commonly damages the kidneys, eyes, heart & brain.
Hypertension can be controlled by medication.
How do I find out if my cat has hypertension?
How do I find out if my cat has hypertension?
Hypertension can go unnoticed for a long time, as signs may only become obvious after there’s been significant damage to their organs and a loss of quality of life for the cat. This is why, hypertension is often known as a ‘silent killer’.
Many cat owners have no idea there’s a problem until their cat suddenly becomes blind, shows neurological problems or their condition is picked up when managing another underlying disease. Being observant and spotting early signs of disease (including any change in appetite, bodyweight or demeanor) may mean that high blood pressure, and any underlying disease, can be diagnosed and managed earlier.
Hypertension is diagnosed through measuring your cat’s blood pressure. This is measured by your vet just like your doctor would measure your own blood pressure! The vet places an inflatable cuff around your cat’s leg or tail, and uses a sensitive machine to detect the flow of blood. By inflating the cuff and detecting the flow as the pressure is released from the cuff, your vet will be able to get a blood pressure reading.
Ideally, high blood pressure should be diagnosed as early as possible so that treatment can be given to prevent damage to vulnerable organs in the body. This is best achieved through regular (yearly or twice-yearly) measurements of blood pressure in all cats over 7 years old.
How is high blood pressure treated?
How is high blood pressure treated?
If your cat is diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are two important initial aims. The first is to reduce the blood pressure , using medication. This is important to reduce the risk of damage to different organs and in particular to protect the brain, eyes, heart and kidneys. The second aim is to search for, and treat, any underlying disease, such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.
High blood pressure itself can be easily treated with medication but, as in humans, this is often needed for the rest of the cat’s life. Making an early, accurate diagnosis is really important to help prevent any damage, or further damage, to the kidneys, heart, eyes and central nervous system by treating the hypertension and closely monitoring the blood pressure.
As your cat starts getting older, seeing your vet for a regular blood pressure reading will become part of their life-long care. It will also be crucial as part of the evaluation and monitoring of diseases such as hyperthyroidism or kidney disease.
All cats over 7 years old should have regular blood pressure checks.
If your cat is over 7 or has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or chronic kidney disease, speak to your vet to arrange a blood pressure test at the practice.
Don’t write it off as old age – old age isn’t a disease!
All cats over 7 years old should have regular blood pressure checks.
If your cat is over 7 or has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or chronic kidney disease, speak to your vet to arrange a blood pressure test at the practice.
Don’t write it off as old age – old age isn’t a disease!