Questions about High Blood Pressure? We've Got Answers!

The month of May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month, and below, you will find helpful information about high blood pressure.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a disease. According to American Heart Association high blood pressure typically has no symptoms, but can have deadly health consequences if not treated. The American Heart Association states around 80 million United States adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers.

Systolic

The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).

Diastolic

The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).

A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80; "prehypertension" ("pre-high-blood-pressure") readings range from 120/80 to 139/89. High blood pressure readings begin at 140/90 and can go all the way to emergency levels from there.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney failure. The longer it's left untreated, the more serious its complications can become.

Everyone should know their risks! Below is a list of factors that may put you at risk for developing high blood pressure.

Age. The risk rises as you age. Through early middle age, it is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop it after menopause.
Race. It is more common among African American’s. It often starts at an earlier age than it does when compared to other races and ethnicities.
Family history.
Being overweight or obese. The more you weigh, the more blood you need to bring nutrients to your tissues. As the volume of blood goes up, so does the pressure against artery walls.
Not being physically active. Inactive people tend to have faster heart rates. That makes the force of blood against your arteries harder.
Using tobacco. Tobacco use immediately raises your blood pressure on a temporary basis. The chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls.
Too much salt in your diet.
Too little potassium in your diet.
Too little vitamin D.
Drinking too much alcohol.
Stress. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary, but dramatic, rise in blood pressure.
Certain chronic conditions. They include high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea.
Sometimes, pregnancy contributes to high blood pressure as well.