By: centraljersey.com
Did you know that more than 74 million Americans – or 1 in 3 adults – suffer from high blood pressure?
And did you know that – according to the American Heart Association – 20 percent of those individuals are unaware of their condition?
Unfortunately, if left undiagnosed and untreated, high blood pressure – medically termed "hypertension" – can lead to serious health consequences, including heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.
Don’t let this happen to you. With routine visits to your doctor and a simple test, high blood pressure can be easily detected and managed and you can reduce your risk for serious complications.
Understanding Blood Pressure.
Blood pressure is the measurement of the force against your artery walls as the heart pumps blood through the body. This force helps move the blood along so it can deliver the essential materials that keep your organs healthy.
Your blood pressure reading consists of two measurements:
– Systolic pressure – the level of pressure when your heart pumps (top number).
– Diastolic pressure – the level of pressure when your heart relaxes (bottom number).
Blood pressure is considered normal if the top number is below 120 most of the time and the lower number is below 80 most of the time.
High blood pressure is characterized by a top number regularly over 140 or a lower number regularly higher than 90.
Pre-hypertension may be diagnosed if your numbers are between 120 and 139, and 80 and 89 most of the time. Patients with pre-hypertension are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
Knowing your numbers is the first step toward managing your blood pressure.
Causes and Risk Factors.
High blood pressure occurs when your heart pumps harder than normal, the diameter of your arteries decreases or your volume of blood increases.
It can be caused by a number of factors, including:
– A diet high in sodium. Too much salt in your diet increases the amount of water your body stores, which in turn increases the volume of your blood and leads to high blood pressure.
– Age. As you grow older, your arteries stiffen and narrow, decreasing the ability of your blood to flow smoothly and increasing pressure.
– Family history. If your parents, siblings or other close relatives have high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop it, too.
– Race. High blood pressure is especially common among African-Americans, who typically develop it at a younger age and more often than others.
– Lack of exercise. People with sedentary lifestyles are at greater risk for high blood pressure and other complications than those who engage in routine physical activity.
– Overweight and obesity. Among other things, excess weight puts a strain on your heart, increasing your chances of developing high blood pressure.
– Stress. Although science has not proven that stress can cause high blood pressure, it is believed to be a contributing factor.
– Smoking. Smoking and second-hand smoke can damage your arteries, putting you at greater risk for high blood pressure.
– Sleep apnea. When you stop breathing during sleep, your body wakes up suddenly, causing a temporary spike in your blood pressure. If this occurs regularly, you can develop high blood pressure.
Diagnosis and Treatment.
Because high blood pressure is typically a symptomless disease, it is important to have your blood pressure checked annually as part of your routine physical. If your measurement is high, your doctor will likely ask you to repeat the test after two weeks to confirm the diagnosis.
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend further tests to identify potential damage to your heart, kidneys, eyes and other organs. With the help of your physician, blood pressure can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising, losing weight and eating a healthier diet.
Additionally, there are a variety of safe and effective medications that can be used alone or in combination to lower blood pressure. It is critical that you take the medications as prescribed and that you follow up with your doctor if you have side effects.
Moreover, you should visit your doctor every three to six months to make sure your blood pressure is under control and the medications are doing their job.
Prevention.
The National Institutes of Health offers the following tips for preventing high blood pressure:
– Adults over 18 should have their blood pressure checked regularly. – Avoid smoking. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about finding a program to help you quit.
– Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products while reducing total and saturated fat intake. Talk to your doctor about the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and whether it is right for you.
– Exercise regularly. If possible, exercise for 30 minute on most days.
– If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
– Lose weight if you are overweight.
– Try to manage stress.
Muhammad Azam, M.D., is board-certified in family medicine. He is a member of the medical staff of Princeton HealthCare System and PHCS’ affiliated medical practice in Dayton.
To find a physician affiliated with Princeton HealthCare System, call 888-742-7496 or visit www.princetonhcs.org.

