Hypertension is called the silent killer - it has virtually no symptoms but the sequale of long standing hypertension causes major health problems.  In the US, 29% of adults have high blood pressure.  There are 70 million Americans with hypertension, equaling 1 in 3 adults.  39 million females over age 20 have high blood pressure.  Many people are not aware that they have high blood pressure – 30% of people with hypertension do not know it.  Many people know that they have high blood pressure but are not being treated.  Among those being treated about 50% do not have it under good control.

What is hypertension?   The pressure that is exerted on the walls of your arteries when your heart beats.

The top number (systolic pressure), pressure exerted as the heart beats.

The bottom number (diastolic pressure), pressure exerted when the heart is at rest between beats.

Categories of blood pressure:

Category                                                               Systolic (mmHg)                   Diastolic (mmHg)

Normal                                                                  <120                                       <80

Pre-hypertension                                                  120-139                                 80-89

Hypertension                                                       

Stage 1                                                                   140-159                                 90-99

Stage 2                                                                   >160                                       >100

Hypertension means that your blood pressure is consistently elevated above the normal ranges.  Everyone’s blood pressures tend to increase in situations that produce anger, pain, fear, or high stress.

Why the Fuss?  Hypertension is a significant risk factor for developing coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.  The higher your pressure, the higher your danger.

What are the risk factors for developing hypertension?

Family members with high blood pressure, African Americans, age over 35, overweight, physical inactivity, salt intake, people with diabetes, gout, or kidney disease, excessive alcohol intake, pregnant women, and women who take birth control pills and are overweight, had high blood pressure during pregnancy, have family history of high blood pressure, or have mild kidney disease.

How can you reduce your risk?

Managing your weight.  BP decreases by 1 mmHg for every two pounds of weight that you lose.

Getting regular physical activity.  30-45 minutes of moderate physical activity for 30 minutes most days of the week.

Eating low sodium, heart-healthy diet.  American heart association recommends no more than 2 grams of sodium a day which is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of table salt.  The best ways to lower sodium in your diet are by:

Removing the saltshaker from the table

Not adding extra salt to food

Emphasizing fresh fruits and vegetables and grains

Avoiding salty snacks and processed foods

Limiting alcohol intake.  No more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day for a man and one for woman.

Chilling out to reduce stress.

Diagnosis

Requires at least 2 or 3 different elevated blood pressure readings on separate visits to your doctors ofiice.

Treatment

Lifestyle changes

Medications