Are You at Risk with High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure or hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Both numbers are important.
Nearly 1 in 3 people has hypertension. Once it develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. The good news is that it can be treated and controlled.
It is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain or kidneys.
When it is not found and treated, it can cause:
- The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure.
- Small bulges (aneurysms (AN-u-risms)) to form in blood vessels. Common locations are the main artery from the heart (aorta); arteries in the brain, legs, and intestines; and the artery leading to the spleen.
- Blood vessels in the kidney to narrow, which may cause kidney failure.
- Arteries throughout the body to "harden" faster, especially those in the heart, brain, kidneys and legs. This can cause a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or amputation of part of the leg and blood vessels in the eyes to burst or bleed, which may cause vision changes and can result in blindness.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60–70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries.
A reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. In general, lower is better. However, very low blood pressure can sometimes be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a doctor.
A reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high . With hypertension, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.
Who Is At Risk for High Blood Pressure?
Many people get hypertension as they get older. This is not a part of healthy aging! There are things you can do to help keep your blood pressure normal; such as, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough physical activity and removing the plaque in your arteries.
Your chances of developing hypertension are also higher if you:
- Are overweight
- Are a man over the age of 45
- Are a woman over the age of 55
- Have a family history of high blood pressure
- Have prehypertension (that is, a reading in the 120–139/80–89 mmHg range)
Other things that can raise blood pressure include:
- Eating too much salt
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Not getting enough potassium in your diet
- Not getting enough physical activity
- Taking certain medicines
- Having long-lasting stress
- Smoking (smoking can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure)
Heart Health Resources highly recommends the following product to help you improve high blood pressure:
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