Always tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist if you are taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements, because many of them can affect blood pressure. While there is no cure for hypertension, it usually can be managed by leading a healthy lifestyle and by taking prescription medications. You can take steps to change these risk factors. Being overweight, using tobacco products, being physically inactive, eating an unhealthy diet or having high blood sugar or cholesterol levels.Advancing age, race, gender and a family history of hypertension.
While high blood pressure often doesn’t have any symptoms, there are several factors that put you at a higher risk of having it, including: While one elevated reading does not necessarily mean you have hypertension, it does mean you need to monitor your blood pressure more frequently and tell your healthcare provider. The plan that you and your provider agree on often will depend on your age, as well as your personal and family medical histories.īecause high blood pressure often does not cause any symptoms, it is known as the “silent killer.” The only way to know whether you have it is to have your blood pressure measured. Your provider can help you determine your blood pressure goals and can recommend strategies to help regulate your blood pressure.
Of course, it is important that you talk with your healthcare provider for his or her advice about your blood pressure. The association’s website, has more information on these guidelines. In addition, the guidelines say people with a top number between 120 and 129 may have elevated blood pressure, and they should begin to take steps to lower their blood pressure. The new heart association guidelines say a person with a top number above 130 and/or a bottom number above 80 has high blood pressure. The top number of a blood pressure reading – called systolic pressure – is the pressure measurement when a heart is beating, while the lower number – called diastolic pressure – is the pressure when a heart is resting. Using the revised blood pressure parameters, the heart association now estimates that nearly half of adult Americans have hypertension, making them at risk for several serious health issues, including stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.īlood pressure is the force of blood against the artery walls as it circulates through the body. These revisions were made in an effort to encourage more Americans to take their elevated blood pressure seriously, to see their healthcare provider regularly and to get treatment early.
Recently, the American Heart Association updated the guidelines it uses to identify hypertension – which commonly is referred to as high blood pressure. By Aynsley Anderson Sosinski, Lawrence Memorial Hospital
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