High Blood Pressure

Everyone has — and needs — blood pressure. And without it, blood can't circulate through the body. Without circulating blood, vital organs can't get the oxygen and food that they need to work. And when blood pressure gets too high it can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure.

According to recent estimates, this ‘silent killer’ affects nearly one in three U.S. adults, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people don't know they have it. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it.

American Heart Association Recommended Blood Pressure Levels:

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially when it's present with other risk factors.

Your provider may take several readings over time before deciding whether your blood pressure is high. He or she should also evaluate unusually low readings.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

In 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown. This is called essential or primary hypertension. Factors that may lead to high blood pressure in the remaining 5 to 10 percent of cases, known as secondary hypertension, include kidney abnormality, structural abnormality of the aorta, and narrowing of certain arteries. These problems can usually be corrected.

How Do I Know If I Have High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, and it doesn't mean you're tense, nervous or hyperactive. You can be a calm, relaxed person and still have hypertension. The only way to find out if you have this disease is to have your blood pressure checked. A blood pressure test is quick and painless, and can be done in a provider's office, hospital clinic, school, nurse's office, company clinic or at a health fair.

A single high reading doesn't mean you have high blood pressure, but it's a sign that you need to watch your blood pressure carefully. If your blood pressure is normal, get it checked at least every two years. If you have prehypertension, or if you have a family history of high blood pressure, you're at higher risk. Your provider will tell you how often to have it checked.

10 Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure:

Check it. You can’t do much about your blood pressure unless you know what it is. Your provider should check it at every visit. Measuring at home between visits is even better.
Get moving. Exercise can lower blood pressure by 10 points, prevent the onset of high blood pressure, or let you reduce your dosage of blood pressure medications.
Eat right. A diet for better blood pressure emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts.
Control your weight. If you are overweight, losing weight can lower your blood pressure.
Don’t smoke. Smoking a cigarette can cause a 20-point spike in systolic blood pressure.
Drink alcohol in moderation. Going beyond a drink a day can contribute to higher blood pressure.
Shake up your salts. Too much sodium and too little potassium can boost blood pressure. Aim for less than 1.5 grams of sodium a day, and at least 4.7 grams of potassium from fruits and vegetables.
Sleep is good. Chronic lack of sleep can contribute to high blood pressure. Get at least six hours a night.
Reduce stress. Mental and emotional stress can raise blood pressure. Meditation and deep breathing can lower it.
Stick with your medications. Taking medication can keep you from having a stroke or heart attack.

- Source: The American Heart Association and the Harvard Health Letter