High blood pressure affects nearly one in three Americans and can lead to serious health problems such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. It is measured in numbers based on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes such as exercise and a healthy diet. Regular blood pressure checks are important.
It is now estimated that nearly one in three Americans have high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the measure of how much force blood flow exerts on the arteries. Although blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day depending on activity levels, eating habits, and other conditions, when blood pressure remains consistently elevated, it is called high blood pressure.
Also known by the medical term hypertension, high blood pressure is measured in numbers based on systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls as the heart beats, while diastolic blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls between heartbeats, when the heart is relaxed. These two numbers are shown in sequence from top to bottom, with the systolic blood pressure measurement at the top and the diastolic at the bottom. For example, a healthy blood pressure is 110/70, with a systolic blood pressure of 110 and a diastolic blood pressure of 70.
High blood pressure readings are different for everyone and are hard to pin down, as our blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day, but a good healthy blood pressure is usually 120/80 or lower. A systolic pressure that consistently reads 120 to 139, with a diastolic reading of 80 to 89, is considered pre-high blood pressure. Stage one hypertension is a consistent systolic reading of 140-159, with a diastolic reading of 90-99. Stage two is anything consistently above 160/100.
When blood pressure is high, it forces the heart to work harder than it should. The extra force of the blood against the artery walls can cause hardening of the arteries. Also known as “the silent killer,” this condition can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, or blindness. However, there are rarely any symptoms; the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked.
Blood pressure readings should always be considered in relation to other conditions that may cause a temporary increase, including stress, fear, anger, fatigue and anxiety about being in a doctor’s office. Hypertension can also be caused by cardiovascular and renal disorders, neurological conditions, pre-eclampsia in pregnancy, and various medications.
Hypertension does not discriminate; anyone can develop it, regardless of age, race or gender. The good news is that this condition can be treated and prevented. While there are many medications designed to lower blood pressure, there are lifestyle changes that can help as well. Losing weight, exercising, eating a healthy low-fat diet, and consuming less sodium and alcohol will help lower high blood pressure. Always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, and have your blood pressure checked regularly.
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