A high or low blood pressure reading can be worrisome,
but understanding the numbers is vital to leading a longer, healthier life.
FIRST, LET SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF MEASURING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Keeping an eye on your blood pressure at home can be really helpful in preventing potential health issues. It’s like having your own personal health monitor, just like we rely on our phones for important updates. By checking your blood pressure regularly, you can catch any problems early on and take steps to prevent them from becoming more serious.
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a
condition that affects many people around the world. It occurs when the force
of blood moving through your blood vessels is too high, which can lead to
serious health problems if left untreated.
It’s important to measure your blood pressure regularly to
ensure that it is within a healthy range. This is because high blood pressure
often goes unnoticed, earning it the nickname “the silent killer” .
It’s important for all of us to prioritize our health,
especially during challenging times. Monitoring your blood pressure can have
a positive impact on your overall well-being and significantly reduce the
risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications. It’s a proactive
approach that can empower you to take control of your health.
To detect high blood pressure early, it is crucial to
measure blood pressure accurately. For example, the FORA Vital P31 – Blood
Pressure Monitor can be used at home to check your blood pressure. or get
it checked by a healthcare professional. This can help you track changes in
your blood pressure and detect high blood pressure early. You may not feel
symptoms of high blood pressure, so it’s essential to get it checked.
If you did not know:High blood pressure can
cause the walls of the heart’s pumping chamber to thicken, which can lead to
left ventricular hypertrophy. This condition can eventually cause heart
failure, kidney problems, and other health issues. Factors that can contribute
to high blood pressure include lifestyle factors such as a diet high in sodium,
lack of physical activity, and being overweight or obese. It can also be caused
by genetics, aging, and certain medical conditions such as kidney disease or
sleep apnea,
Low blood pressure, on the other hand, can be caused
by dehydration, heart problems, endocrine disorders, blood loss, and certain
medications. If you have concerns about your blood pressure, it’s important to
talk to your healthcare provider to determine the cause and receive proper
treatment.
In summary, measuring your blood pressure regularly is
essential to maintain good health. High blood pressure can cause serious health
problems if left untreated, and low blood pressure can also indicate underlying
health issues. Lifestyle factors, genetics, and medical conditions can all
contribute to high or low blood pressure, so it’s important to seek medical
advice if you have concerns. Remember, detecting and treating high blood pressure
early can prevent serious health complications in the future.
Let’s work together to prioritize your well-being and take the necessary steps to ensure a healthier future for all of us.
Diabetes and Hypertension
Diabetes can increase the risk of both high blood pressure
(hypertension) and low blood pressure (hypotension) due to various factors.
Here’s a breakdown of how diabetes can affect blood pressure:
1.High Blood Pressure (Hypertension):
•Damage to Blood Vessels: High blood sugar levels in
diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels, making them less flexible and more
prone to constricting. This narrowing of blood vessels leads to increased
resistance to blood flow, resulting in elevated blood pressure.
•Kidney Function: Diabetes can affect the kidneys’ ability
to filter waste and excess fluid from the body. When the kidneys don’t function
optimally, it can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
•Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance, a hallmark of type
2 diabetes, can contribute to high blood pressure. Insulin resistance affects
how cells use insulin, leading to higher insulin levels in the bloodstream.
Elevated insulin levels can cause the blood vessels to constrict and raise
blood pressure.
2. Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension):
• Autonomic Neuropathy: Diabetes can damage the
autonomic nerves that regulate various bodily functions, including blood
pressure control. Autonomic neuropathy can disrupt the normal mechanisms that
maintain blood pressure, leading to a drop in blood pressure levels.
• Medications: Some medications commonly used to manage
diabetes, such as certain types of insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs, can
lower blood pressure as a side effect. These medications, combined with other
factors, can contribute to hypotension in individuals with diabetes.
It’s important to note that the impact of diabetes on blood pressure can vary among individuals. However, regular monitoring of blood pressure and proper management of diabetes through medication, lifestyle modifications (such as a healthy diet and regular exercise), and regular medical check-ups can help mitigate the risks associated with both high and low blood pressure in individuals with diabetes. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial for personalized guidance and treatment.
Blood pressure (BP) is the force of the blood flowing
through your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body. It’s measured
using two numbers: systolic blood pressure, which reflects the pressure in your
arteries when your heart beats, and diastolic blood pressure, which represents
the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. BP is
usually recorded as systolic BP over diastolic BP.
Normal blood pressure for adults is below 120/80. When the
reading exceeds this range, this is referred to as high blood pressure or
hypertension. Hypertension has been linked to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack, two of the leading causes of death in the
United States.
Understanding your blood pressure readings is essential to
keeping a healthy heart. Knowing what your numbers mean can also help you take
action to prevent these serious health problems. Read on for a detailed guide
on decoding your blood pressure readings.
How to read your blood pressure
At the doctor’s office, your blood pressure will be measured
using a device called a sphygmomanometer. This device has an inflatable cuff
wrapped around your upper arm.
When the cuff is inflated, it temporarily stops blood flow
in your arm. This allows the doctor or nurse to measure your blood pressure.
Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day and can be affected by stress,
eating habits, exercise, and medications. Doctors will usually take several
readings to determine a person’s baseline blood pressure.
Your blood pressure readings are expressed as a fraction.
The top number is the systolic pressure, and the bottom is the diastolic
pressure.
- Systolic
pressure is measured when the cuff is inflated, and the heart is
pumping. It indicates how much pressure your heart exerts against your
artery walls as it pumps blood into them.
- Diastolic
pressure is measured when the cuff deflates, and the heart rests
between beats. It reflects how much resistance your artery walls exert
against the blood flow.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of
mercury), with 120 representing the systolic pressure and 80 representing the
diastolic pressure. Anything higher than this indicates high blood pressure.
Depending on how much higher the numbers are, your doctor may diagnose you with prehypertension
(120-139/80-89 mmHg) or hypertension (140/90 mmHg or above).
If you do have high blood pressure, the doctor may suggest
lifestyle changes such as changing your diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking,
and reducing your sodium intake. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe
medications to help manage your blood pressure.
What blood pressure numbers mean
The American Heart Association recognizes five distinct categories of blood pressure based on the
numbers:
- Normal: Less
than 120/80 mmHg. Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get
regular checkups to keep your numbers in this range.
- Elevated: Numbers
consistently range from 120-129/Under 80 mmHg. You are at a higher risk
for developing high blood pressure unless you adopt lifestyle changes,
such as adopting a heart-healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
- Stage
1 hypertension: 130-139/80-89 mmHg. You are at an increased risk of
cardiovascular disease. The doctor will recommend lifestyle changes and
prescribe medications to regulate blood pressure and prevent imminent
health risks.
- Stage
2 hypertension: 140/90 mmHg or higher. At this stage, you will need a
combination of medications and lifestyle changes to keep your blood
pressure under control.
- Hypertensive
crisis: A reading of 180/120 mmHg or higher. This is considered an
emergency and requires immediate medical attention. Call 911 for immediate
medical assistance.
Keeping track of your blood pressure readings is the first
line of defense in preventing hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and other
serious health problems. Once you understand what those numbers mean, you can
take the necessary steps to keep your blood pressure in check.
Which number matters the most?
Medical practitioners pay more attention to systolic
pressure because it predicts the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
(ASCVD). The risk of stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular events
increases significantly if systolic pressure is consistently high. This is why,
in most hypertensive cases, the doctor will focus on treating systolic pressure
first.
However, a deviation from the normal range in either number
indicates a need for intervention. In these cases, proper nutrition, regular
exercise, and/or prescription medications are necessary for achieving and
maintaining healthy blood pressure numbers.
Causes, signs, and symptoms of high blood pressure
Regular checkups are the only way to detect high blood
pressure. Hypertension is a silent killer, and people suffering from high blood
pressure don’t experience any signs or symptoms until it’s too late. Left
untreated, it can lead to stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, or vision
loss.
Several factors can increase
your risk of developing hypertension:
- Age: The
risk increases with age, particularly after 50.
- Family
history: If one or more of your family members have high blood
pressure, you are more likely to develop the condition.
- Race: African
Americans have a higher risk of developing hypertension.
- Smoking
and drinking alcohol: Tobacco and excessive drinking injure the
arteries, leading to hypertension.
- Lack
of physical activity: Inactivity leads to weight gain, increasing
your hypertension risk.
- Stress: Prolonged
stress raises blood pressure. Binge eating, drug abuse, and depression
also increase the risk of developing hypertension.
- Certain
chronic illnesses: Some chronic illnesses, such as
kidney disease or diabetes, can lead to high blood pressure.
High blood pressure can lead to life-threatening
complications. Seek medical advice if you experience any of the following:
- Chest
pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Shortness
of breath
- Blurred
vision
Making lifestyle changes and taking medications as prescribed can help you manage your blood pressure. Visit your doctor regularly to monitor and discuss your progress for a healthier, longer life.