Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood as it flows through the arteries, which carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body.  The top number, called systolic pressure, measures the blood pressure as the heart pumps or contracts.  The bottom number, called the diastolic presssure, measures the blood pressure when the heart is at rest or between beats.  A normal adult blood pressure should be 120/80 or less.  High blood pressure is defined by levels greater then 140/90.

Approximately 50 milliion Americans have hypertension.  The chance of having high blood pressure increases with age.  Most of the time people are unaware their blood pressure is high.  Especially if the pressure has been steadily increasing over time as they may not experience any symptoms.  This is why hypertension is often referred to as the “silent killer”.  People who do not have regular health check-ups may not realize their blood pressure is too high until it is too late and it causes bigger health problems.  Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and heart attack.

When the blood presure remains too high for many years without proper control it cause the heart, which is a muscle, to grow.  As the heart gets bigger it does not pump as efficiently.  This can lead to fluid build up in the lungs and causes congestive heart failure, or CHF.  Often CHF can be maintained with medications, but sometimes requires a pacemaker to help the heart pump properly.

In most cases the cause of hypertension is unknown.  Our risks for having high blood pessure increases with obesity, smoking, and inactive lifestyle, a family history of hypertension, salt sensitivity, excessive alcohol intake, some medications, and certain medical problems.  There are things we can do in out daily lifestyle to decrease our risk.  This would include maintaining a healthy weight , staying physically active, eating a healthy-low-salt diet, drinking little to no alcohol, and not smoking.  Thirty minutes of moderately hard exercise most days of the week will not only lower blood pressure, it also helps to reduce stress and control body weight.

When lifestyle changes are not enough to keep the blood pressure under control, medications are pescribed.  Once a person is started on blood pressure medications they should not stop taking them unless instructed by their health care provider.  It is also helpful to have a home blood pressure monitor which can be purchased at local pharmacies.  This allows for a writen record of home blood pressures for a health care provider to review at check ups.

Amey Moeggenborg PA-C