What’s So Important About Blood Pressure?
Whenever you see a healthcare provider, even for a broken arm or sore throat, one of the first things they do is check your blood pressure. Why? It turns out that high blood pressure – also called hypertension – is very common, often has no signs or symptoms, and is very dangerous if not treated. For those reasons, it’s important to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.
What is it?
Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. If your blood pressure is high, your heart must work harder. That can lead to some of your other major organs (example: kidney, lungs) also having to work harder to make up for the extra work your heart is doing.
How common is it?
Half of American adults have high blood pressure. About 1 in 3 of those adults don’t know they have it. In fact, it has been called the “silent killer” because many people don’t have any symptoms.
What do the numbers mean?
Blood pressures are measured in two numbers: systolic/diastolic. Systolic pressure measures the force of blood pumped out of the heart. Diastolic pressure measures the force when the heart is filling with blood again.
How high is too high?
Healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80, which is said “120 over 80.” In 2017, the American Heart Association updated what is considered high blood pressure. Now, someone is considered to have high blood pressure when their blood pressure is consistently higher than 130/80.
Can it be treated?
High blood pressure can be treated and controlled through diet, exercise, and sometimes medication, if caught early on. That’s why it is so important to get your blood pressure checked and pay attention to the numbers.
What do I do?
Visit your health care provider at least once a year to get your blood pressure checked. Keep your eye out for community health fairs that offer free blood pressure screenings. Also, many pharmacies have free blood pressure monitors.
High blood pressure tends to run in families, but there are things you can do to lower your risk:
Eat more heart-healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit pre-packaged food with high sodium and fat content.
Find ways to add more physical activity to your day, like taking the stairs or walking instead of driving. Other examples could include riding your bike, swimming laps, or aerobics.
If you have a lot of stress in your life, try things like spending time with friends, practicing meditation, talking to a counselor, and deep breathing exercises.
Cut back on salt, alcohol, and smoking.
Try to get better sleep. Studies show that sleeping less than 7 hours a night may cause higher blood pressure and other health issues.
Sources: Medline Plus, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute