What is hypertension?
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common medical issue. It is defined as a blood pressure that is above 140 for the Systolic or “top number” and or over 90 for the Diastolic or “bottom number.” It is estimated that 75 million people currently have hypertension in the US alone.
What is a normal blood pressure?
140/90 is the currently accepted number where hypertension is diagnosed. However, multiple medical studies have found that lower blood pressures such as related to better heart and overall health. Even though today’s cutoff for hypertension is 140/90, a normal blood pressure is anything below 120/80. In fact, a blood pressure of 120-139 and 80-89 is considered “prehypertension” and you and your doctor may want to discuss steps to lower your blood pressure.
How do I lower my blood pressure?
Simple steps such as reducing salt intake in foods and eating a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains can have a big impact. Even subtle substitutions such as having fish instead of red meat can allow for a very positive change in your pressure. Losing weight and staying active even with light exercise also has a great effect. Habits such as Alcohol use and smoking are also big offenders when it comes to high blood pressure in addition to stressing your lungs, liver and your body as a whole.
Are there medications that can help lower my blood pressure?
Yes, there are different medications that can help lower blood pressure. They work in different ways, some like Beta Blockers work on the Beta 1 receptor in the body and lower the heart rate which can lower the blood pressure. Calcium Channel Blockers work by making the body’s blood vessels larger so they can store a larger volume and will then have a lower pressure. There are a variety of different medications called diuretics that help the body get rid of extra salts and water. These diuretics may require you to take supplements if your blood levels of certain excreted ions are low. Your doctor will give you the most accurate information about what medication is right for you and consider if any vitamins/ion replacement is necessary. The medications are all the same in one way however: Diet and exercise is still a key part of the equation and a healthy, balanced, low salt diet is always a key part of any effective blood pressure treatment. A common thought is that you have to take these medicines forever. While patients may always need these medicines, a proper diet and exercise plan can possibly allow you to take these medicines less frequently, in smaller doses or even allow you to not take these medicines at all.
What are the symptoms of Hypertension?
When a person has symptoms, the most common complaints are headaches or changes in vision like blurry vision. However, many people including people with very high blood pressure readings don’t have any symptoms at all.
If there is often no symptoms, how can I be sure I that my blood pressure isn’t high?
The most accurate blood pressure readings are those taken by a doctor or other healthcare professional in an office. That is why keeping regular appointments even when you don’t feel sick is so important. Other ways to monitor your blood pressure are possible with a free blood pressure monitor available at most pharmacies. If you are diagnosed with hypertension or want to track your blood pressure over time an automatic home blood pressure monitor is also available for sale at most pharmacies and online. They are usually $20-$40. Keep in mind that these machines aren’t always entirely accurate and may give you an incorrectly high reading of 5-10 points. Still, they are a good way to see how your pressure changes throughout the day and to get a general idea about your blood pressure. Write the numbers down and bring them in to your next physical, your doctor can even compare the machine’s readings to your actual in office pressure to see how accurate your machine is.
Why it all matters:
As hypertension is considered a disease, there are possible illnesses that you can acquire that are linked to having high blood pressure, usually for a long period of time. Hypertension is associated with risks for heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries), Aneurysms (budges in arteries that can tear), vision loss, kidney problems and more. Don’t worry though, it’s never too late to get your blood pressure under control and your risks for those scary conditions could be lowered greatly with proper diet, exercise and, if needed pharmaceutical therapy. Your doctor will think about all of these risks and come up with a plan that works for you and addresses your individual symptoms and needs. Schedule an appointment today if it’s been a little while since you’ve been seen. Your heart will be happy you did.
Sources:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/1001/p503.html
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/1791497