High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, or the “silent killer”, is an incurable condition that can threaten your health and quality of life. Blood pressure is the pressure your blood puts on your artery walls when the heart pumps. High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood pushing against the artery wall is too high.
If you’ve ever had a routine physical exam with your primary care physician, you may recall having your blood pressure measured. An inflatable cuff is wrapped around your arm that gently squeezes your bicep, and the gauge will get a reading of your systolic and diastolic numbers.
So, what does systolic and diastolic mean? The measurement of pressure in your arteries when your heart beats is your systolic blood pressure, or the “top” number. Diastolic blood pressure, or the “bottom” number, measures the pressure in your arteries when the heart is resting between beats.
A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm HG (millimeters of mercury) or lower is considered normal. A reading of 130/80 or higher is called “Stage 1 hypertension”, and a reading of 140/90 is called “Stage 2 hypertension”.
Measurements of 180/120 are considered a “hypertensive crisis”. If readings do not slow down after 5 minutes and are accompanied by chest or back pain, changes in vision, or difficulty speaking, call 911. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to:
Blood pressure numbers rise and fall throughout the day and when you are active. But for people with consistently high blood pressure levels, there are rarely ever any symptoms. This gives the condition its nickname, the “silent killer”.
“Being diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure, means that the force of your blood against your artery walls is consistently too high, which can strain your heart and blood vessels. While it often can’t be completely cured, hypertension can usually be managed or even reversed with lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, stress reduction, and medication. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and vision problems. Early detection and consistent management are key to preventing long-term complications.”
Merna George, MD
Family Medicine, St. Vincent Health Center
The best protection from high blood pressure is prevention. Eating a healthy diet low in sodium and alcohol, exercising daily, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress can prevent high blood pressure. Scheduling annual exams with your doctor are also essential to your overall health.
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