High blood pressure (also called hypertension) is a serious health condition that affects approximately 1 in 3 adults in the United States. Over time, high blood pressure can cause damage to your body and lead to heart disease, heartfailure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.
What do the blood pressure numbers mean?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The first number (systolic blood pressure) represents the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure is the second number and it represents the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Who is at risk for high blood pressure?
Factors that may increase your risk for high blood pressure include certain behaviors, traits, or conditions such as...
- Older Age
As we age, our blood pressure tends to rise. Approximately 65% of Americans aged 60 or older have high blood pressure. - Race/Ethnicity
High blood pressure can affect anyone but it tends to affect African American adults more than Caucasian adults. African American and Mexican American youth are more likely to have high blood pressure or prehypertension than Caucasian youth. - Overweight or Obesity
People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop pre-hypertension or high blood pressure (overweight or obesity is defined as weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height). - Gender
During their lifetime, men and women are equally likely to develop high blood pressure. Before the age of 45, however, men are more likely to have high blood pressure than women. After age 65, the condition is more likely to affect women than men. - Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Unhealthy habits or behaviors can raise one’s risk for high blood pressure, including:- A diet high in sodium (salt)
- Drinking too much alcohol
- A diet low in potassium
- Not getting enough physical activity
Risk Factors for Children and Teens
Due to a rise in obesity among children and teens, prehypertension and high blood pressure are becoming more common. Boys tend to be at higher risk for high blood pressure than girls.
Other Risk Factors
- Prehypertension
- A family history of hypertension
- Long-lasting stress
Myths about hypertension….
MYTH: High blood pressure runs in my family. There is nothing I can do.
It is true that high blood pressure can run in families. If your parents or close blood relativeshave had high blood pressure, it raises your risk of developing it, too. By making healthy lifestyle choices, however, you can help avoid this. Healthy lifestyle choices include:
- Eating a heart healthy diet (limiting sodium to less than 1500 mg per day)
- Doing regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing stress
- Avoiding tobacco smoke
- Complying with prescribed medications
- Limiting alcohol consumption
MYTH: I get white coat blood pressure. My blood pressure is low at home and higher when I
get it checked at my provider’s office.
White coat hypertension is when blood pressure readings at your provider’s office are higher than they are in other settings, such as your home. If you find that your blood pressure is elevated at your provider’s office, it is likely that your blood pressure may also rise in other stressful situations such as sitting in traffic, the work place, or any other common daily stressors. It is important to consider this when assessing your health because long-term stress can increase your blood pressure over time. One way to confirm if you are experiencing white coat syndrome is to keep track of your blood pressure readings at home and bring those readings along with your blood pressure machine to your provider’s office.
MYTH: I don’t use table salt, so I’m in control of my sodium intake and my blood pressure isn’t affected.
Controlling sodium requires more than simply limiting the amount of added salt to foods. Sodium can increase the blood pressure for some individuals and it is important to be aware of how much sodium we are consuming in our diets. Checking labels is essential to monitoring sodium intake because 75% of the sodium we consume is hidden in processed foods such as tomato sauce, soups, condiments, canned foods, and prepared mixes. When reading labels, watch out for words such as soda, sodium, and the symbol Na - these tell you that sodium is present.
MYTH: I feel fine. I don’t have to worry about high blood pressure.
Hypertension is called the “silent killer” because there can be no warning signs. Often those affected don’t know they have high blood pressure or don’t experience the classic symptoms. For this reason, it is important to check your blood pressure regularly.
MYTH: I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and I have been maintaining lower readings, so I can stop taking my medication.
High blood pressure can be a lifelong condition. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations, even if it means taking medication every day for the rest of your life. By working with your healthcare provider, together you can reach your treatment goals and enjoy the benefits of better health.
Where can I find more information about blood pressure?
For additional resources on high blood pressure and how it can impact your health, visit the
following websites:
- American Heart Association: www.heart.org
- American Society of Hypertension: http://www.ash-us.org/
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: www.nhlbi.nih.gov
- National Institutes of Health: www.health.nih.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Accessed July 9, 2015
American Heart Association - Accessed July 9, 2015
National Institutes of Health - Accessed July 9, 2015
