high blood pressure

High Blood Pressure

According to the American Heart Association, recent estimates are that one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to many serious conditions such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure. The problem is that many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure because often there are no symptoms. Having your blood pressure checked is the only way to tell if it is elevated.

What is normal blood pressure?
• For an adult, normal blood pressure should be less than 120/80.

What do blood pressure numbers indicate?
• The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is beating.
• The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

What causes high blood pressure?
• 90 – 95% of cases, the cause are unknown. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because people can go for years without any symptoms. That is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

How does high blood pressure affect your body?
• High blood pressure increases the work that your heart and blood vessels have to do to circulate blood throughout your body and organs. This causes an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and heart failure.

What can you do to help control high blood pressure?
• There are many lifestyle changes that can help to control high blood pressure. Some of these include: maintaining a healthy weight, get regular physical activity, avoid excessive alcohol, stop smoking, manage stress, decrease salt in your diet and eat “heart-healthy” foods.

If you have high blood pressure it is important to visit with your physician about it, have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, and to take steps to control risk factors that can reduce your risks for complications.