Having high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. You need to have your blood pressure checked regularly to know if it is high--in most cases there are no symptoms with high blood pressure. You may not know it is high until you have a heart attack or stroke. The best defense is to have your pressure checked, know what your numbers are and what they mean. If it's high, make lifestyle changes to help bring your blood pressure to a healthier level.
Step 1
Understand what your blood pressure reading is measuring. Your blood pressure is listed as a fraction and represents the pressure that is exerted against your artery walls as the heart pumps blood through your body. The top number is called the systolic and represents when your heart muscle contracts or beats. The bottom number is called the diastolic and represents the heart at rest in between contractions.
To learn what your blood pressure is you need to have it measured. According to the American Heart Association, you will not be diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension after just one high reading. However, if it is high on several occasions then you may have hypertension.
Step 2
Know if you have hypotension, or low blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic states that "Some experts define low blood pressure as readings lower than 90 systolic or 60 diastolic --- you need to have only one number in the low range for your blood pressure to be considered lower than normal." Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness and fainting spells and in severe cases can be life threatening. It can be a warning sign of heart disease, dehydration, excessive bleeding or an infection.
Step 3
Take steps if your blood pressure is just slightly high. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that if your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 and your diastolic number is between 80 and 89 your doctor may diagnose you with pre-hypertension. This is a warning that you need to take steps before you develop high blood pressure. The National Institutes of Health say that if you have pre-hypertension you are at a greater risk of dying from a heart attack.
Step 4
Learn all you can about hypertension. According to the National Institutes of Health, when your systolic number is consistently 140 or higher or the bottom number is consistently 90 or higher you may be diagnosed with high blood pressure. Only one number needs to be high to confirm a diagnosis. High blood pressure means you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Lifestyle changes and medication can help you lower your blood pressure.
Tips and Warnings
- Check your blood pressure often so you can catch or pre-hypertension or disease in its early stages. At this point your condition will be much easier to control.
- Call your doctor right away if you experience chest pain, extreme dizziness, severe headache or nose bleeds, as these can be signs of dangerously high blood pressure.
