Blood pressure is a measure of how hard your blood pushes on the walls of your blood vessels. It is important to have your blood pressure tested because high blood pressure, also called hypertension, does not usually cause symptoms, yet it can still damage your body. The American Heart Association reports that over 20% of people with high blood pressure do not know that they have it.
Blood Pressure Numbers
Your blood pressure is a combination of two numbers, for example 120/80. The first number is your systolic blood pressure which is your blood pressure when your heart is pumping. The second number is your diastolic blood pressure, the pressure when your heart is at rest.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, systolic pressure below 120 and diastolic pressure below 80 is normal. Systolic pressure between 120 and 139 and diastolic between 80 and 89 is considered prehypertension, a warning phase that will likely turn into high blood pressure unless preventive measures are taken. High blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure of 140 or higher or diastolic pressure of 90 or higher.
If your systolic and diastolic numbers are in different blood pressure categories, your blood pressure status still falls into the higher category so you can address any potential risks.
Measuring Blood Pressure
Starting around 20 years old, your health care provider should take your blood pressure every 2 years, or more often if you have other risk factors. You can also get your blood pressure measured at health fairs and some pharmacies.
After age 3, pediatricians will take children's blood pressure at their yearly physical exams.
Causes
According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly all cases of high blood pressure are essential hypertension, that is, high blood pressure with no apparent cause. However, high blood pressure may also be secondary to another disease or condition, like a kidney problem, a drug-related side effect or tumor on the adrenal gland. There are also several risk factors for high blood pressure, such as family history, obesity, tobacco use and heavy drinking.
Increased Risk of Disease
The additional pressure on the vessels in people with high blood pressure causes damage to the blood vessels and other organs over time. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, high blood pressure increases risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
Controlling High Blood Pressure
About a third of U.S. adults have hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some are able to control blood pressure through lifestyle measures like following a healthier diet, quitting smoking and getting more exercise. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommends the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension) Diet, which focuses on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, for controlling hypertension. However, some people need to take medications to control high blood pressure.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: High Blood Pressure
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hypertension
- Mayo Clinic.Com: High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure with DASH
- American Heart Association: High Blood Pressure Statistics
