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What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force blood exerts within the arteries of the circulatory system. When it is measured, there are two readings taken, expressed in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg, written as one number above or before the other. For example, 125/80. The top number is called the systolic, which represents the pressure of blood flow when the heart is contracting or beating. The diastolic, the bottom number, represents the pressure of blood flow when the heart is at rest or between beats. Normal blood pressure is a systolic of 120 or less and a diastolic of 80 or less. When blood pressure levels are above these numbers, they are considered prehypertensive until reaching 140/90, which is called hypertention.
Facts about hypertension
About 1 in 3 U.S. adults — an estimated 68 million — have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. High blood pressure was listed as a primary or contributing cause of death for more than 347,000 Americans in 2008.
In 2010, high blood pressure was projected to cost the U.S. $93.5 billion in health care services, medications and missed days of work.
Only 50 percent of U.S. adults with high blood pressure have it under control. Almost 30 percent of American adults have prehypertension — blood pressure numbers that are higher than normal, but not yet in the high blood pressure range. Prehypertension raises your risk for high blood pressure.
Hypertension is the second most prevalent diagnosis among Ramstein Clinic enrollees.
Hypertension has been called the “silent killer,” and with good reason. In most cases, there are no symptoms. Many people discover they have hypertension at a medical or dental visit during routine screening.
Causes of hypertension
Oftentimes, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown and referred to as “essential hypertension.” However, research has indicated several contributing factors, including smoking, being overweight/obese, consuming more than one to two alcoholic beverages daily, stress, genetics/family history,
living a sedentary lifestyle and salt intake.
Hypertension can also be caused by other existing medical conditions. This is called secondary hypertension. Examples of conditions that cause high blood pressure are chronic kidney disease and thyroid and adrenal abnormalities.
Prevention
The risk of developing hypertension increases with age. However, there are steps you can take to thwart hypertension from happening to you. First of all, adopt a healthy lifestyle. This is characterized by achieving and/or maintaining a healthy weight; physical activity, healthy eating patterns that emphasize fresh, un- or minimally processed food (vegetables, fruits); reducing sodium intake and if enjoyed, drink alcohol in moderation. Also, quitting the habit of smoking has a profound positive effect on blood pressure.
Already diagnosed?
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, do your very best to follow the plan agreed upon with your health care provider. In addition to the aforementioned prevention techniques, take your medication as prescribed. If you are experiencing unwanted or intolerable side effects, make an appointment with your provider to discuss how those effects can be mitigated.
Long-term consequences of hypertension
Again, hypertension is the silent killer. Having uncontrolled hypertension can lead to impaired vision and blindness, kidney disease and kidney failure due to inordinate stress on the vessels that supply them, and premature death due to heart disease and stroke.
Take home message
High blood pressure is a manageable condition. If you have concerns related to your blood pressure, call your primary care provider for an appointment. Do not wait for a sign or symptom to alert you of hypertension — doing so can have very negative health consequences. Know your numbers!
