What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. It’s measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure means the pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension. Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as 112/78 mm Hg. The top, or larger, number (called systolic pressure) is the pressure when the heart beats. The bottom, or smaller, number (called diastolic pressure) is the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. If you’re an adult and your systolic pressure is 120 to129, and your diastolic pressure is less than 80, you have elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is a systolic pressure of 130 or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 80 or higher, that stays high over time.
Why is High Blood Pressure called the “Silent Killer”?
High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms, that’s why it is so dangerous. But it is important to know that it can be managed. Nearly half of adults over age 20 have high blood pressure and many don’t even know it. Not treating high blood pressure is dangerous because high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. You should get your blood pressure checked regularly and follow any directions provided by your health care professional.
Am I at higher risk of developing hypertension?
There are risk factors that increase your chances of developing high blood pressure?
Risk factors that can be controlled are:
• Cigarette smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.
• Diabetes.
• Being obese or overweight.
• High cholesterol.
• Unhealthy diet (high in sodium, low in potassium, and drinking too much alcohol) .
• Physical inactivity.
Risk factors that can’t be modified or are difficult to control are:
• Family history of high blood pressure.
• Race/ethnicity.
• Increasing age.
• Gender (men are more prone to hypertension than women).
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
What treatments are available for hypertension?
- Don’t smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Aim to consume less than 1,500 mg/day of sodium (salt). Even reducing your daily sodium intake by 1,000 mg can help.
- Eat foods rich in potassium. Aim for 3,500 – 5,000 mg of dietary potassium per day.
- Limit alcohol (no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks for men).
- Be more physically active. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, or a combination of both, spread throughout the week. Add muscle-strengthening activity at least two days per week for more health benefits.
- Take medicine prescribed by your doctor to treat high blood pressure.
- Know what your blood pressure should be and work to keep it at that level.
References
What is High Blood Pressure? (heart.org)
Hypertension Brochure Blood Pressure Canada — (mountsinai.on.ca)