Hypertension & High Blood Pressure

There are many different kinds of heart disease, but hypertension (long-term high blood pressure) is one of the most common heart issues. According to the American Heart Association, one out of every three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. Twenty percent of adults with hypertension don’t know they have it. Because it has no obvious symptoms, it has been called a silent killer.

We hear about high blood pressure and low blood pressure all the time. Advertisements for medications that target high blood pressure are on television all the time. A medical assistant or nurse will check it every time you go to a doctor appointment. So we hear about it all the time, but what exactly is blood pressure, and why is it so important?

Blood pressure is the measurement of the force at which blood pushes against your blood vessel walls. There are two numbers for your blood pressure. The top number is called systolic pressure. This number measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The bottom number is called diastolic pressure, which is the measure of the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats. A normal blood pressure is below 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Pre-hypertension is a condition of slightly elevated blood pressure. This condition will usually turn into high blood pressure unless you decide to make some changes to your lifestyle, including more exercise and a healthier diet. Pre-hypertension has a systolic pressure (top number) between 120 to 139 mm Hg, or a diastolic pressure (bottom number) from 80 to 89 mm Hg.

Stage 1 hypertension is referred to as mild high blood pressure. At this stage, you would most likely be prescribed medication. Even though you have been prescribed medication, it is still important to make the same lifestyle changes of exercise and diet to help control your blood pressure. Stage 1 hypertension has a systolic pressure (top number) of 140 to 159 mm Hg, or a diastolic pressure (bottom number) from 90 to 99 mm Hg.

Stage 2 hypertension is severe high blood pressure and requires more frequent blood pressure checks, as well as a lot of monitoring. Stage 2 hypertension has a systolic reading (top number) of 160 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic reading (bottom number) of 100 mm Hg or higher.

While both numbers of your blood pressure are important, adults who are 60 years of age and over, need to pay more attention the systolic number. A normal diastolic number and high systolic number is a common form of high blood pressure for those over 60.

There are some risk factors which affect your blood pressure that you cannot change. Age, family history and race are out of our control, but lifestyle changes can make huge strides in your overall health. If you are overweight, smoke or have a sedentary lifestyle, your risk is higher. Too much alcohol or sodium in your diet are other habits that contribute to high blood pressure.

Making small changes in your diet and your lifestyle can help with your blood pressure and the risk of developing hypertension. Talk with your doctor or the Wellness Team at Evergreen Senior Living to find out how you can begin to make safe, positive changes that will help you live a fulfilling and enriched life.