According to the American Heart Association, hypertension, or high blood pressure is a "ticking time bomb" affecting millions of Americans. The severity of the health issues resulting from a hypertensive state has driven the medical community to research ways of preventing and alleviating the condition. Many of the recommendations proposed include lifestyle changes that can be adopted by those who want to avoid and control high blood pressure.
What is Measured in a Blood Pressure Test
The heart pumps blood through the body, and the force of the blood on the walls of the arteries as it goes through is what is measured as your blood pressure. Your blood pressure monitor will measure the pressure when the heart beats and pushes the blood, and this number is recorded as your systolic blood pressure. There will also be a measurement of the pressure between beats, and this is your diastolic blood pressure. Your blood pressure reading will show a combination of both numbers recorded as systolic over diastolic, as in systolic/diastolic, in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg.
Understanding the numbers
Normal systolic blood pressure is one that generally stays below 120 mmHg. A tendency for this number to rise to over 140 mmHg means high blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure is said to be normal when the reading is below 80 mmHg. High blood pressure occurs when this number begins to go above 90 mmHg regularly.
Pre-hypertension
There is a state called pre-hypertension when you are at high risk of developing high blood pressure. You are considered pre-hypertensive if your systolic blood pressure is usually between 120 and 139 mmHg and/or your diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 mmHg.
Who is at Risk of High Blood Pressure?
The National Institute of Health warns us that people in certain categories have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. These categories include smokers, diabetics, people with a family history of high blood pressure, African Americans, people who are stressed, those with high salt intake and those who are obese. Certainly not everyone in these categories will become hypertensive, and many people who don't fall within these boundaries may be diagnosed with this condition. Regular blood pressure checks are necessary to determine your blood pressure health.
Weight Loss and Hypertension
When it comes to treating and controlling blood pressure, one of the lifestyle changes recommended by health professionals is achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. If you are above your ideal body weight, you should be aware that even a small reduction in weight can lower your blood pressure. Losing 5 to 10 lbs can make a difference, so talk to your doctor about the diet and exercises you will have to embrace to lose those extra pounds, even if they are just a few.
References
- American Heart Association: Statement by President
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: What Is High Blood Pressure?
- National Institute of Health: Medline Plus: Hypertension
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: How Is High Blood Pressure Treated?
- American Heart Association: Weight Management and Blood Pressure
