What to Know About High Blood Pressure
Living with high blood pressure doesn’t have to be difficult. Simple lifestyle changes can help you manage your high blood pressure,or even lower it to a normal range.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, has no symptoms, but it can affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Monitoring your blood pressure is the only way to know if you have it.
Nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure according to the CDC. However, 25% of those adults have their blood pressure under control. You can work towards managing your blood pressure by:
Getting Regular Physical Activity
Getting regular exercise helps keep your heart and blood vessels strong, making it easier for your heart to pump blood to all parts of your body. The CDC recommends being physically active for 30 minutes a day at least 5 days per week.
Avoiding Smoking & Using Tobacco Products
Smoking can damage your blood vessels and increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet helps you maintain a healthy weight and provides your body with essential nutrients.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Individuals who are overweight or have obesity are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure due to their heart having to work harder to pump blood and oxygen around the body.
By maintaining a healthy weight, you can reduce stress on your heart, leading to a lower risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Maintaining a healthy weight also reduces stress on other parts of your body, such as your joints and lungs.
Managing Stress
Stress can cause your blood pressure to increase throughout the day. Learning how to manage your stress can help you manage the amount of time each day that you have high blood pressure.
Other Tips for Lowering High Blood Pressure
Am I at Risk?
Anyone can have high blood pressure. Some people are more likely to have high blood pressure, including:
- African Americans
- People over 55
- People with a family history of high blood pressure
Your chances of having high blood pressure are higher if you:
- Are overweight
- Eat foods high in salt
- Do not get regular exercise
- Smoke
- Drink alcohol heavily
Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
When you visit your healthcare provider, they typically measure your blood pressure by putting an inflatable cuff on your arm. Below is a chart from the American Heart Association that shows the different blood pressure categories:
Your doctor or healthcare provider can confirm your high blood pressure diagnosis. You may be asked to monitor your blood pressure at home if:
- You are diagnosed with high blood pressure.
- You are starting or changing high blood pressure treatment to find if it’s working.
- You need closer monitoring for other medical reasons.
Schedule an Appointment
You can schedule an appointment for heart and vascular care by calling 402-844-8284.
402-371-4880