High blood pressure, medically known as hypertension, is not usually a separate disease in domestic cats, but is often the result of other general illnesses. Older cats in particular often suffer from a pathological increase in blood pressure, which can have serious consequences.
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood pumped by the heart into the arteries on the walls of the blood vessels. The blood pressure of a healthy domestic cat should be 120/70 mmHg. The first number represents the systolic blood pressure, which occurs when the heart contracts to pump blood from the left ventricle into the arteries. The second number is called diastolic blood pressure, which occurs in the vessels when the heart relaxes and fills with blood again. The unit mmHg (= millimeters of mercury) is still commonly used today and dates back to the time when blood pressure was measured with a mercury barometer.
Values above 170/100 mmHg are considered high blood pressure in cats.
Unlike humans, primary hypertension, which develops without any underlying disease, is relatively rare in cats (20%). Secondary hypertension is much more common in cats (80%) and can result from heart or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus (diabetes).
Similar to humans, the disease develops very gradually and is characterized by rather nonspecific symptoms, especially in its early stages. At the onset of the disease, only mild behavioral changes, gait disturbances, fatigue, restlessness, and loss of appetite usually occur.
As the disease progresses, various organ damage can lead to serious symptoms. In cats, the eyes, heart, kidneys, and central nervous system are particularly at risk of damage caused by high blood pressure. The consequences of untreated high blood pressure can include bleeding in the eye, retinal detachment with subsequent blindness, kidney or heart failure, head tilt, convulsions, paralysis, and shortness of breath.
Since the initial symptoms are often overlooked or the symptoms of the underlying disease predominate, affected animals are usually only brought to the vet when the disease is already at an advanced stage. After a general examination and a detailed preliminary report, the cat's blood pressure is measured using a special device similar to those used on humans. It is important to note that even in healthy cats, blood pressure can rise significantly due to stress and excitement at the vet's office. This so-called "white coat effect" can produce false positive results, which is why blood pressure measurement (see corresponding article) alone does not allow a definitive diagnosis to be made. Further special examinations, such as a blood test or an ultrasound examination, are usually necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.
Since most cats suffer from secondary hypertension, treatment depends on the underlying disease. In the case of kidney disease, this must be treated first (see article on chronic kidney disease). If diabetes mellitus has been diagnosed, the correct insulin dose must be determined. If the treatment does not lower the blood pressure or if primary hypertension is present, special blood pressure-lowering medications may be prescribed. Such treatment allows the animals to live a virtually symptom-free life, but it must be continued for the rest of their lives.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can quickly lead to serious complications, which is why early diagnosis and treatment are very important. If the underlying cause can be identified and treated, blood pressure can usually be regulated successfully and the prognosis is good. However, if complications have already arisen, the prognosis is poorer.
Since the disease often goes undetected until it is very advanced due to its gradual onset, prevention is particularly important. Of course, it is impossible to prevent all diseases that can lead to high blood pressure in cats. However, with the help of species-appropriate nutrition and care, the risk of obesity and metabolic problems can at least be reduced. The petsXL health passport allows you to clearly record and monitor your cat's weight.
Regular check-ups at the vet help to ensure that changes in blood pressure or underlying diseases can be detected and treated at an early stage. It is recommended that cats aged seven years and older have an annual check-up, and cats aged eleven years and older have a check-up every six months, consisting of a clinical examination, blood pressure measurement, eye examination, and urine and blood tests. This can help prevent serious complications such as paralysis or blindness.
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