Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Red Hot Mamas
Published: October 11, 2006
Everyone should be familiar with the large Velcro cuff that squeezes our arm and measures our blood pressure. This simple procedure is now so common that it is available everywhere from the doctor’s office to the pharmacy. I’ve even seen it at the grocery store! It has become so easy you can even purchase a blood pressure monitor for your own home use. Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms and no specific warning signs. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is through regular monitoring.
There are two ways in which blood pressure is measured- systolic (the pressure as your heart beats) and diastolic (the pressure between your heartbeats). The measurement is written systolic over diastolic (i.e., 120/80 or “120 over 80”) millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), “A high systolic pressure (top number) means the maximum pressure within your arteries during each heartbeat is great enough to eventually damage vessel walls. High diastolic pressure (bottom number) means your heart and blood vessels don’t relax well between beats.”
A “normal” reading is considered anything under 120/80. A reading of 140/90 or greater is high blood pressure, or hypertension. According to NHLBI, everyone’s blood pressure should be kept below 140/90.
The current blood pressure guidelines are:
Age, heart condition, emotions, activity and medications all affect your blood pressure. If you have one high reading it does not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. Find your average value by measuring blood pressure at different times while resting. Testing your blood pressure regularly is essential to protect your ticker. You should consult your physician to determine your normal blood pressure. When blood pressure is consistently above normal it is called hypertension (high blood pressure).
After the age of 65, more women than men have high blood pressure. Three quarters of African American women and half of Caucasian women over the age of 50 have hypertension. High blood pressure can lead to serious health complications (heart attack, kidney damage, stroke, vision problems). It should not be ignored.
When your healthcare provider tests your blood pressure, they will probably ask about your medical history, assess your risk factors (smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.) and ask about your family medical history. A physical examination will include listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope and checking the pulse in your arm and ankle. If heart disease is expected, your healthcare provider may recommend other tests (various cardiograms, stress tests, ultrasounds or catheterization).
Symptoms
Like many heart conditions, there are generally no symptoms of hypertension. For this reason, many people call it the silent killer. The only way to find out if you have hypertension is to measure your blood pressure. So much remains unknown about hypertension, including the causes. The following conditions may factor into the condition:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Too much salt in the diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption (more than 1 or 2 drinks per day)
- Stress
- Older age
- Genetics
You Can Avoid High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a lifelong disease. It can be controlled, but not cured. Once you start to manage it and start a treatment program, it’s easier to maintain a lower blood pressure. If high blood pressure is controlled, you will lower your risk of diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease.
Preventing high blood pressure is possible and you have control over it. Here are a few guidelines that will also improve general health as well:
- Maintain a healthy weight – find your optimal weight using the BMI Index
- Exercise regularly
- Reduce salt intake (see the DASH diet below)
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Reduce stress
Pay attention to food labels when you take your next trip to the grocery store. You can actively reduce your sodium consumption by reading and comparing food labels.
Treating High Blood Pressure
Many lifestyle approaches can help lower your blood pressure, including techniques to reduce your anxiety and relaxation. Losing weight, quitting smoking and exercising can help. Some experts recommend the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.
The general rules to the DASH diet are:
- Eat more fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods
- Cut back on foods that are not high in saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat
- Eat more whole grain products, fish, poultry and nuts
- Eat less red meat and sweets
- Eat foods rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium
Many people need to turn to medications to regulate their blood pressure. Depending on your personal condition, your healthcare provider may recommend these treatments:
- Diuretics
- Beta-blockers
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
- Angiotensin antagonists
- Calcium channel blockers
- Alpha-blockers
- Alpha-beta-blockers
- Nervous system inhibitors
- Vasodilators
As with any medication, all options should be thoroughly discussed with your healthcare provider prior to establishing a treatment plan.
Some additional resources on blood pressure:
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