What is Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. The
heart creates this force as it contracts and as it rests between contractions.
Blood pressure goes up and down depending on what you are doing. It may rise during periods of excitement, nervousness, or exercise and decrease
during sleep.
Some people experience "white coat hypertension", when their blood pressure is elevated because of the anxiety of seeing a clinician. In this case,
it is recommended that you have a series of blood pressure readings outside of the clinical setting to determine if you are truly hypertensive.
How is Blood Pressure Measured? Blood pressure incorporates two measures:
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure against artery walls as the heart contracts (or beats) and pushes blood into
the arteries.
This is the top or first number in a blood pressure reading.
Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure against artery walls between heart contractions. This is the bottom or second number in a
blood pressure reading.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) exists if the systolic number or the diastolic number stays
higher than normal most of the time (see Categories and Ranges in Adults). The heart has to pump harder to move blood
through the body, adding to the workload of the heart and blood vessels.
High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and heart, increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease (including heart attack) and kidney
disease.
Individuals in the early stages of high blood pressure generally have no symptoms or specific warning signals. Contrary to popular belief, headaches
or nosebleeds are not usually symptoms of the early stages of high blood pressure. The only reliable way to know if you have or are developing high
blood pressure is to have it checked.
Prehypertension is a high-risk precursor to hypertension (see
Categories and Ranges in Adults). Adults with prehypertension are twice as likely to progress to hypertension than adults
with lower blood pressure. If you are diagnosed with prehypertension, you should have annual blood pressure checks, and your clinician can counsel you
about Risk Factors and Prevention.
*Individuals with diabetes or kidney disease should try to keep their blood pressure at or below 130/80 because they are at higher risk for the
consequences of hypertension.
Treatment High blood pressure usually cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with proper
treatment. See also Risk Factors and Prevention. Controlling high blood pressure can help prevent heart disease, kidney disease
and stroke. However, it usually requires lifelong medication for those individuals whose blood pressure is definitely abnormal.
If your clinician prescribes one or more medications for you, it is important that you take them regularly (not just when you remember it or feel
bad).
There are different types of high blood pressure medications. Your clinician will determine which is the most appropriate for you. Different
medications have various side effects, which may include frequent urination, dry mouth, or a change in energy level or sexual libido. Discuss side
effects with your clinician, because many can be prevented by a change in medication dosage or type.
Risk Factors and Prevention In most cases, actual causes of high blood pressure are unknown.
However, the following risk factors are established as contributing to high blood pressure.
Smoking tobacco is the single worst
thing that one can do to one's health, especially
for persons with high blood pressure. Nicotine constricts
blood vessels, stimulates the heart and increases
the rate at which fatty deposits occur within the
arteries. This can increase the destruction of the
arteries already caused by high blood pressure. If
you smoke, quit. See Tobacco:
You Can Quit!
Being overweight can increase your blood pressure. With each extra pound, the body must increase blood volume and the number of
capillaries to supply the fatty tissue. This means that the heart must work harder. Losing weight can lessen this strain on the heart. Restricting
cholesterol and saturated fat may diminish the build-up in the inner lining of the blood vessels. Maintaining a healthy weight permanently requires a
change in eating habits, exercise patterns and attitudes. For more, see
Weight Reduction.
Excessive sodium intake (mostly as table salt or food additives) may be detrimental to individuals who are sensitive to sodium or
who have a history of high blood pressure. These individuals should examine food labels carefully, avoid salty and processed foods and use herbs and
seasonings for flavor rather than salt.
Lack of exercise: Regular physical exercise may decrease the rate of fatty deposit build-up on the artery walls,
strengthen the heart and reduce
heart rate and blood pressure. Physical activity that is rhythmic and repetitive (such as brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, cross country
skiing and jumping rope) are best for building cardiovascular fitness. See
Just Move from the American Heart Association for tools to get you moving.
Alcohol: When large amounts of alcohol are consumed, blood vessels constrict and blood pressure is increased for 24-36
hours. For more on alcohol, see Alcohol and Other Drugs.
Genetics: Blood pressure levels are correlated among families. This can be attributed to genetics, shared environment
or lifestyle factors. If either or both of your parents have high blood pressure, you are at greater risk of developing it, so get your blood pressure
checked.
