May is High Blood Pressure Awareness month and we’re sharing this blog to help educate you on the dangers of high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease and strokes in the United States. If not managed, high blood pressure can lead to a myriad of complications including aneurysms, kidney failure, and even dementia.
We want to help you take control of your heart health and get your blood pressure into a healthy range. Let’s discuss what high blood pressure is, its risks, and how to lower your blood pressure safely.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition in which a person’s blood pressure is continually elevated above the norm.
Elevated blood pressure means that there is too much pressure in the blood vessels. This results in the heart having to work harder to send blood through the body, which can lead to heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, and other issues.
High blood pressure is a common concern for many people and it is often misunderstood. In this article, we cover what high blood pressure is, as well as the dietary, lifestyle, and pharmacological tips you can use to control your blood pressure.
For High Blood Pressure Awareness Month, it’s important to know the signs of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a condition in which the blood pressure in your arteries is elevated. There are two main types of high blood pressure: systolic and diastolic. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in your arteries when the heart contracts and ejects blood. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in your arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.
A normal blood pressure range for an adult is under 120/80. People suffering from Hypertension Stage 1 have rates consistently between 130-140/80-90. Hypertension Stage 2 begins when ranges reach over 140/90. At this point, doctors usually consider blood pressure medication and recommend some lifestyle changes.
If your blood pressure ever reaches over 180 systolic or 120 diastolic you are considered in a hypertensive crisis and at imminent risk of a heart attack or stroke, seek medical attention right away.
If you have high blood pressure, you may not even know it. This is because the symptoms are different for everyone, and often they come on very gradually. Often there are no symptoms at all until your blood pressure reaches severe levels.
However, if you do have highly elevated blood pressure, you may experience one of the following symptoms:
If you notice any of these symptoms you should check your blood pressure right away. Experiencing blood pressure symptoms usually indicates that your blood pressure is dangerously high.
What should you do if you think that you have high blood pressure?
The first thing that you should do is to go to your doctor because blood pressure is something that can be monitored and treated.
High blood pressure can lead to many health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness. Unfortunately, many people don’t know that high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions.
Now that you understand the dangers of high blood pressure, let’s discuss how to manage it and keep your heart healthy.
Up to 95% of high blood pressure patients have “essential hypertension”, meaning the exact cause can’t be determined. However, many factors can contribute to this condition. Some of the most common causes of high blood pressure include;
The good news is that making some simple lifestyle changes at the first sign of hypertension can help reduce your risk of ending up on medications. For example, quitting smoking and reducing stress can have a big impact on your blood pressure.
A healthy diet and exercise can also help lower your blood pressure in many cases. Start making these dietary adjustments during High Blood Pressure Awareness Month.
Here are some dietary tips that can help you lower your blood pressure:
Exercise may lower your blood pressure, but it works best in people with normal blood pressure. This is becau