Of the conditions that lead to heart disease and strokes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are among the most well known. Both diseases can be asymptomatic, so you could be suffering from them for years without being aware of it. It is imperative that you monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels to ensure that you stay in the healthy range.
What is High Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure reading measures the pressure that blood puts on the walls of your arteries. Two numbers are recorded. The top number represents the pressure when the heart contracts and pushes blood out. This is called the systolic blood pressure. When the heart relaxes between beats, this bottom number is called the diastolic pressure. Normal adult blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, which is millimeters of mercury. If your blood pressure rises to 140/90 consistently, that is considered high and you are at risk.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is sometimes called the "silent killer" because of the lack of symptoms. Even while undiagnosed, however, high blood pressure can cause damage to your heart, kidneys, blood vessels and other body parts. High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to a number of health problems including heart failure, coronary heart disease, kidney failure and strokes.
High Cholesterol
Like high blood pressure, high cholesterol has no symptoms, but a blood test will tell you the level of cholesterol in your blood. The two major cholesterol types are the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL. Typically, high cholesterol readings reflect high LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol deposits fat on the walls of your arteries, leading to heart disease and strokes. LDL cholesterol levels below 130 mg/dL are acceptable, but a target level of below 100 mg/dL is recommended if there is any other risk of heart disease.
When You Have Both Conditions
Having both high blood pressure and high cholesterol places you in the very high risk category for heart disease. The good news is that both conditions can be controlled. The American Heart Association tells us that high cholesterol can be controlled by eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly and avoiding tobacco smoke. The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation adds a few things to the mix to keep on top of your blood pressure. It recommends that you reduce your salt and alcohol intake, and take time to de-stress and relax each day.
Get Tested
The incidence of high blood pressure in the United States is approximately 1 in 3. With this alarming statistic, you don't want to wait for symptoms that may not manifest themselves until the damage is done. Get tested and stay healthy.
References
- American Heart Association: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Monitoring of High Cholesterol
- Heart and Stroke Foundation: High Blood Pressure
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: What Is High Blood Pressure?
- Mayo Clinic: Cholesterol levels: What numbers should you aim for?
- American Heart Association: Prevention and Treatment of high cholesterol
