May is Blood Pressure education Month

Do you know your blood pressure and what it says about your current health? Blood pressure is something that should be routinely taken, but many people only have their blood pressure checked during their annual doctor’s visit. It is important to recognize the importance of knowing your normal blood pressure, and how this can impact your overall health. May is high blood pressure education month and it is important that everyone recognize the warning signs and know steps that they can take to improve their overall health.

What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?

High blood pressure indicates that the pressure against the walls of your arteries is above the desired range as you heart is beating and relaxing between beats. The American Heart Association recognizes five categories when assessing blood pressure:

 (adapted from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings)

What can increase the risk of high blood pressure?

There are certain risk factors that we may not be able to control, such as age, genetics, and family history. It is a known fact that as we age our arteries become stiffer and this alone can increase blood pressure. Also, if you have a family history of high blood pressure you are already at a higher risk. Blacks are at a higher risk compared to whites for high blood pressure as well.

Even though you cannot control the factors mentioned above, you can control the following and decrease the risk of high blood pressure.

• Diet (High fat diets, increased sodium, increased caffeine, low potassium, and low fiber diets are linked to higher incidence of high blood pressure.)
• Overweight/obesity (BMI is currently the easiest way to assess for obesity. It is known that some individuals who have more muscle mass will demonstrate a higher BMI and not a higher body fat percentage. However, for the average American BMI is considerate a valid measure of body composition.)
• Lack of exercise (It is recommended to perform moderate intensity activities for a total of 150 minutes per week and strength training at least 3 days a week)
• Tobacco (Avoidance of tobacco use is best for overall health.)
• Increased alcohol use (Alcohol use should be limited and the type of alcohol should also be considered.)
• Diabetes (Controlling blood sugar levels will help to decrease risk of high blood pressure and other complications related to your health.)
• Stress (Finding ways to lower your stress is not just important for your mental health, but physiologically as well. Stress alters the way your body functions and responds.)

What are warning signs of high blood pressure? (If you experience any of these symptoms, you should check your blood pressure.)

• Nausea/vomiting
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness/fainting
• Headache
• Blurred Vision/Double vision
• Shortness of Breath

Can high blood pressure lead to other issues?

Yes, high blood pressure is also associated with increased risk of:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Aneurysm
• Memory issues/dementia
• Kidney issues
• Eye issues and potential blindness

To learn more about how your blood pressure can influence your overall health visit the American Heart Association. Also, be sure to have a candid conversation with your medical provider. Medications can help to control your blood pressure, but lifestyle changes are what is most important when managing your blood pressure long-term.