Having high blood pressure raises the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Controlling blood pressure requires making healthy lifestyle choices to both prevent high blood pressure and treat it once it has been diagnosed. The first step is to talk with a health care provider, who can advise on what a good blood pressure range is, based on personal health and other risk factors that may be present.
Identification
Blood pressure refers to the pressure blood places against the blood vessel walls as it is pumped through the body. It is recorded as a fraction; the top number is called the systolic and represents the force occurring as the heart pumps. The bottom number is called the systolic and represents the force as the heart rests. High blood pressure can exist without ever causing any symptoms, so regular testing is important. High blood pressure that is left untreated can cause damage to the body and raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Readings
Normal or good blood pressure is a reading that is under 120/80 mm Hg. One high reading does not mean that blood pressure is high. A physician will take several readings over time before diagnosing high blood pressure or hypertension. In addition, since blood pressure --- especially the top number --- tends to rise naturally with age, more attention is paid to the systolic reading. This means that hypertension may be diagnosed even if the diastolic number is within a healthy range.
Considerations
Once the systolic blood pressure reading reaches 120 to 139 mm Hg and/or diastolic reaches 80 to 89 mm Hg, prehypertension is diagnosed. A reading of 140 to 159 mm Hg over 90 to 99 mm Hg is considered stage-one hypertension. Higher then that is diagnosed as stage-two high blood pressure and is considered dangerously high. While there are usually no warning signs, some patients experience palpitations, light-headedness, dizziness, chest tightness or other symptoms. For others, a heart attack or stroke is the first warning sign that blood pressure is too high.
Solution
To keep blood pressure readings at a healthy level means making lifestyle changes. This includes quitting smoking, getting regular exercise and limiting intake of salt, dietary cholesterol and fat. Carrying extra pounds also raises the risk of developing high blood pressure, so it is important to keep your weight under control. In addition, blood pressure should be checked at least once a year, unless a doctor recommends otherwise.
