Each year, the World Health Organization picks a theme for World Health Day, April 7, 2013. This year, the theme was “high blood pressure,” a serious medical condition that requires awareness all year long.
One-third of American adults have high blood pressure, and many may not even know it. High blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and a number of other health problems, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Blood pressure – the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood.
-National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
There are two measurements taken by your doctor’s blood pressure cuff: systolic and diastolic. The systolic number, referred to as the top number, measures the pressure of the blood while the heart is actively pumping blood; the diastolic number – the measure on the bottom or listed second – is the pressure of the blood between each pump of blood through the heart.
Depending on your level of physical activity or even your stress level, your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day.
*These numbers apply to most adults who are not suffering from short-term illnesses. Those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease may have different “normal” blood pressure levels.
When your blood pressure is regularly in the high range, it raises your risk for a number of health problems.
What causes high blood pressure?
There are a number of outside factors that may cause your blood pressure to rise, but often age can play a factor unless you actively maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some of these factors include:
• Asthma medication
• Cold-relief medication
• Hormone therapy or birth control pills
Other medical problems – such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease and sleep apnea – can also increase your blood pressure levels.
In addition to age, being of African American descent (as opposed to Caucasian or Hispanic), family history of HBP and all adults who are overweight or obese carry a higher risk of developing hypertension in their lifetimes.
Preventing high blood pressure
Unfortunately, hypertension can go undiagnosed as it often does not present symptoms until damage has already been done to the body. Maintaining a positive relationship with your doctor and regularly having your blood pressure checked can prevent hypertension from affecting your heart, blood vessels, kidneys or other vital body organs and systems.
You and your doctor can develop the best and healthiest plan for you and your blood pressure levels. Following a healthy diet that is low in sodium, has enough potassium and does not include too much alcohol, if at all, is an easy step in the right direction. Maintaining a healthy weight with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25 and quitting smoking (if you smoke) are also essential. As you grow comfortable with your healthy lifestyle, also work on managing your stress; taking a few deep breaths can relax you and works to immediately lower your blood pressure.
Photo credit: Flickr user meddygarnet. Used with permission through Creative Commons.