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Health Tips

Controlling High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels. If blood vessels become narrow, the heart is forced to pump harder to push blood through the body. The force against artery walls reaches unsafe levels and stays there. This is called high blood pressure. High blood pressure is also called hypertension.

Why be concerned about high blood pressure? Because high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious damage to your body. Symptoms are not usually present. Most often, symptoms dont occur until years of uncontrolled hypertension have damaged the body. But high blood pressure can be detected and controlled. Thats why its important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

If untreated, high blood pressure may lead to:

Heart problems
These may include:

Heart attack

An enlarged heart that works inefficiently

Heart failure-the heart can't circulate blood normally; fluid may build up in legs, ankles and lungs.

Angina-chest pain caused by severe narrowing of the coronary artery.

Stroke (brain attack)

Continued pressure inside the main artery to the brain may lead to a blood clot or a burst artery. Heavy bleeding and nerve cell damage can lead to paralysis, memory loss, speech difficulties, etc.

Loss of Vision
Walls of the blood vessels in the eyes may thicken, and tiny hemorrhages may develop, possibly leading to blindness.

Kidney problems
Poor blood supply may damage the kidneys. Waste products may build up and cause kidney failure.

The cause of high blood pressure is often unknown.
But, certain risk factors seem related to high blood pressure.

Heredity
If one or both parents have high blood pressure, their children are more likely to develop it.

Race
For example, African Americans are more prone to high blood pressure than Caucasians.

Age
In general, the older a person gets the greater the risk of developing high blood pressure.

Overweight
High blood pressure is twice as common among people who are overweight.

Excess sodium
Too much sodium has been linked to high blood pressure.

Drugs
Birth control pills, decongestants, diet pills and some other drugs can temporarily raise blood pressure.

Stress
Tension can make high blood pressure worse, but doesnt seem to cause it.

Blood pressure checkups are simple-and painless
Blood pressure is measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer. A cuff is wrapped around one arm and inflated, briefly cutting off circulation. A reading is taken as air is slowly released from the cuff.

Systolic pressure
(The force of blood on blood vessel walls when the heart beats) is measured when the first sound of rushing blood is heard. This is the top number of your reading.

Diastolic pressure
(The force of blood on blood vessel walls when the heart relaxes between beats) is measured when the sound stops. This is the bottom number of your reading.

If medications are prescribed, be sure to:

Inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist of all other drugs you take-including over-the-counter medications. Other drugs may interact with high blood pressure medications.

Take medications as directed even if you feel well. Never discontinue, increase or decrease medications without your health-care providers approval.

Report all side effects to your health-care provider. These may include weakness, muscle, cramps, depression, drowsiness, headaches and increased frequency of urination.

Establish a routine- make taking medication part of a daily activity, such as brushing your teeth. Use a calendar to record the times youve taken your medication.

If youre a woman and you become pregnant, tell your health- care provider at once. A change of medication may be required for the health and safety of your unborn child.

Other ways to help control high blood pressure.
Your health-care provider may also recommend:

Reducing sodium in your diet.

Losing weight

Reducing cholesterol and saturated fat

Make changes in your lifestyle:

Exercise regularly

Relax

Limit drinking and stop smoking

Family and friends can help, too!
If someone you know has high blood pressure, you should:

Recognize the seriousness of this life-threatening condition and the importance of controlling it.

Participate together in physical and recreational activities.

Encourage a sensible diet thats high in fruits and vegetables and low in sodium, saturated fats and calories.

Remind the person to take all prescribed medications.

Help ensure rest and sleep are undisturbed.

Provide encouragement whenever needed.

Life with high blood pressure can be life as usual!
Your life is worth the effort!