Why is High Blood Pressure a Big Deal?

Turn on your t.v. and you will be bombarded with commercials.  You will probably hear about some new medication that can help lower your blood pressure.  Why is it such a big deal?  There are often no symptoms of high blood pressure, so if you feel fine, why do you need to lower it?  

Let's start off by defining what blood pressure is.  Blood pressure is the amount of force your blood puts on the walls of your arteries.  Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers called systolic and diastolic readings.  The systolic (the top number in the reading) is the amount of pressure put on your arteries when your heart pumps.  The diastolic reading (the bottom number) is the amount of pressure put on your arteries when your heart is relaxing in-between beats.  A "normal" reading is below 120/80.  

So what is the big deal with having your blood pressure higher than normal?  

Having high blood pressure increases your risk for developing heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke.  It is important to have regular blood pressure screenings because there are often no symptoms for high blood pressure and the only way to know if it is elevated is through having it tested.  

Hypertension (the clinical term for high blood pressure) does not discriminate between race, age, or gender.  Anyone can develop it, and once it happens, it usually lasts the rest of your life.  25% of all American adults, or one in four, has high blood pressure.  It is important to have your blood pressure checked as early as age 6.

High blood pressure makes your heart and arteries work harder than they are supposed to. Having high blood pressure and not treating it increases your risk for stroke, can cause blurred vision or blindness, heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and hardening of the arteries.  

How do I know if my blood pressure is too high?

Having your blood pressure checked at the doctor's office, health department, or with an automatic machine is easy.  It takes only a minute or two and is relatively painless.  The chart below shows the classifications of hypertension.  See where your blood pressure reading falls.  If it is pre-hypertensive or hypertensive, you should see a medical practitioner for advice.  

	Blood Pressure Level (mmHg)
Category	Systolic		Diastolic
Normal	<>	and	<>
Pre-hypertension	120-139	or	80-89
High Blood Pressure
Stage 1 Hypertension	140–159	or	90–99
Stage 2 Hypertension	160	or	100

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/detect/categ.htm

Why do I have high blood pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, for 90-95% of all cases of high blood pressure, the cause is unknown.  For the other 5-10%, it could be caused by kidney abnormalities, structural abnormalities in the heart and arteries, or narrowing of certain arteries.  

What can I do?

You should work with your doctor to determine the best course of action.  This may include reducing the amount of fat and salt in your diet, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular physical activity.  Quitting smoking is important to lower your overall risk for heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.  Your doctor may also recommend reducing the amount of alcohol you drink.  There are many medicines that can help reduce and control blood pressure.  Your doctor will know if this is right for you. (High Blood Pressure, 2008)

Want more information?

Visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's webpage

The American Heart Association's webpage and click on "High Blood Pressure" under the Diseases and Conditions link

The Center for Disease Control's webpage 

Or visit your local health department for more information

It's never too late to take care of your heart.  

Sources Cited

High Blood Pressure. (2008, October 15). Retrieved February 9, 2009, from The American Heart
    Association Web site: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2114 

Your guide to lowering high blood pressure. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2009, from The American
    Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Web site: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html