What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a widely misunderstood medical condition.
The blood running through your arteries flows with too much force and puts pressure on your arteries, stretching them past their healthy limit and causing microscopic tears. Our body then kicks into injury-healing mode to repair these tears with scar tissue. But unfortunately, the scar tissue traps plaque and white blood cells which can form into blockages, blood clots, and hardened, weakened arteries.
Why High Blood Pressure Matters?
High blood pressure is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you. It’s sometimes called “the silent killer” because it has no symptoms. One in three adults has high blood pressure, yet, about 21% don’t even know they have it. Of those with high blood pressure, 69% are receiving treatment, yet, only 45% have their blood pressure controlled.
Blockages and blood clots mean less blood can get to our vital organs, and without blood, the tissue dies. That’s why high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and even heart failure.
By keeping your blood pressure in the healthy range, you are:
- Reducing your risk of your vascular walls becoming overstretched and injured,
- Reducing your risk of your heart having to pump harder to compensate for blockages,
- Protecting your entire body so that your tissue receives regular supplies of blood that is rich in the oxygen it needs.
What Can You do to Take Care of Yourself?
- Be informed
Of all people with high blood pressure, over 20 percent are unaware of their condition. This symptomless disease could leave them with substantial health consequences. Are you one of them? If you don’t know, see a health care professional to be tested. - Do your part to reach your treatment goals
Consider these statistics regarding those with known HBP:
– 69.1 percent are under current treatment
– 30.9 percent are not currently under treatment, even though
they know their blood pressure is highThere is no healthy level of high blood pressure. Don’t take life-or-death chances with this disease. Instead, take responsibility! Work with your health care professional to determine your treatment goals and map out your best action plan for HBP prevention and management. - Change your life and reduce your risks
Even if your blood pressure is normal (less than 120 mm Hg systolic AND less than 80 mm Hg diastolic) and your goal is prevention only, the lifestyle modifications provide a prescription for healthy living.If your resting blood pressure falls in the pre-hypertension range (systolic – top- number between 120 and 139 mm Hg OR diastolic – bottom – number between 80 and 89 mm Hg), your doctor will recommend lifestyle modifications. - Lifestyle modifications are essential
These changes may reduce your blood pressure without the use of prescription medications. Lifestyle modifications include:
– Eating a heart-healthy diet, which may include reducing salt
– Enjoying regular physical activity
– Maintaining a healthy weight
– Managing stress
– If you drink, limiting alcohol
– Avoiding tobacco smoke - Take medication if it is prescribed for you
If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, your doctor will likely prescribe medication in addition to lifestyle modifications. Follow your health care professional’s recommendations carefully, even if it means taking medication every day for the rest of your life. High blood pressure is a lifelong disease, and by partnering with your health care team, you can successfully reach your treatment goals and enjoy the benefits of better health.
Learn more about High Blood Pressure.
American Heart Association Guidelines
While there is no cure, high blood pressure is manageable. Even if your blood pressure is normal (less than 120 mm Hg systolic AND less than 80 mm Hg diastolic) and your goal is prevention only, the lifestyle modifications provide a prescription for healthy living. These changes may reduce your blood pressure without the use of prescription medications: eating a heart-healthy diet, which may include reducing salt; enjoying regular physical activity; maintaining a healthy weight; managing stress; limiting alcohol; avoiding tobacco smoke.
