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  • High Blood Pressure Awareness

Dr. Blanca Campos, Family Medicine specialisit

High blood pressure (also called Hypertension) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. In 2022, high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of 685,875 deaths in the United States. The CDC reported that in the U.S., high blood pressure affects approximately 32% of adults and costs between $131 and $198 billion annually, including costs of medications, health care services, and loss of productivity from premature death. A primary care physician plays a critical role in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating hypertension.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure that occurs when blood pushes against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body. High blood pressure happens when your blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal.

  • Normal blood pressure is less than 120 on top and less than 80 on the bottom.
  • Prehypertension levels are 120-139 on top and 80-89 on the bottom.
  • High blood pressure, stage 1 is 140-159 on top and 90-99 on the bottom.
  • High blood pressure, stage 2 is 160 or higher on top and 100 and over on the bottom.

There are 2 types of high blood pressure:

Primary hypertension. This is also called essential hypertension. It has no known cause, and it is the most common type of hypertension. This type of blood pressure usually takes many years to develop. It probably is a result of your lifestyle, environment, and how your body changes as you age.

Secondary hypertension. This occurs when a health problem or medication is causing the high blood pressure. The following can cause secondary hypertension:

  • Kidney problems
  • Sleep apnea
  • Thyroid or adrenal gland problems
  • Some medications

What causes high blood pressure?

There are different factors that may increase the risk of developing high blood pressure such as:

  • A diet high in salt, fat, and/or cholesterol
  • Chronic conditions such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol
  • Family history or genetics (especially if your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure)
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Older age (the older you are, the more likely you are to have hypertension)
  • Being overweight or having obesity
  • Race (non-Hispanic black people are more likely to have hypertension than people of other races)
  • Some birth control medicines and other medicines
  • Stress
  • Tobacco use or drinking too much alcohol

What are the symptoms?

It is important to know that most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms. This is why high blood pressure is sometimes called “the silent killer.” It is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.  Some people experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath with hypertension; however, those symptoms can mimic many other things (serious or non-serious). Usually, these symptoms occur once blood pressure has reached a dangerously high level over a period of time.

HealthDay (6/12, Thompson) reported that "more than a third of Americans (37%) erroneously think high blood pressure always has noticeable symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath,” according to a new survey by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center.  In actuality high blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms to indicate its presence, according to the CDC.  In addition, 39% of respondents mistakenly believe that feeling calm and relaxed is an indication that blood pressure is normal, the poll shows.  And few people – only 13%-- know the correct reading that reflects high blood pressure, 130/80, poll results show.”

How do we treat?

The best way to lower blood pressure begins with making lifestyle changes to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. If changes to your lifestyle aren’t enough to reduce your blood pressure to a normal level, your doctor will prescribe antihypertensive medications.

The goal of treatment is to reduce your blood pressure to normal levels. Medications for treatment are often highly successful. If your blood pressure can only be controlled with medication, you’ll likely need to take it for the rest of your life. It is common to need more than one medication to help control your blood pressure. Don’t stop taking the medication without talking with your doctor. Otherwise, you may increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Living with hypertension

It is important to know that controlling your high blood pressure is a lifelong commitment. You will always need to monitor your weight, make healthy food choices, exercise, learn to cope with stress, avoid smoking, and limit your alcohol intake.

Additionally, you will need to get used to regular blood pressure checks. Your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly, or your doctor may ask you to check your blood pressure at home and keep track of your numbers. Some pharmacies and retail clinics have blood pressure machines on site. You can buy your own, automated arm blood pressure cuff for use at home. Your doctor may want you to check your blood pressure several times a day. Another option is to use an ambulatory (wear as you are moving about) blood pressure monitor.

When is it best to consult advice of medical professionals?

It is important to have regular medical checkups, but you should talk with your health care team right away if:

  • You think you have high blood pressure.
  • If you've been told you have high blood pressure but do not have it under control.

By taking action to lower your blood pressure, you can help protect yourself against heart disease and stroke, also called cardiovascular disease (CVD).

What to do to prevent?

Taking these measures can help lower High blood pressure.

  • Maintaining a healthy weight

Talk with your health care team about ways to reach a healthy weight, including choosing healthy foods and getting regular physical activity.

  • Regularly exercising

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or bicycling, every week. That's about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.

  • Eating a healthy diet

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan is a healthy diet plan with a proven record of helping people lower their blood pressure.

  • Reducing salt intake
  • Do not smoke

Smoking raises your blood pressure and puts you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. If you do not smoke, do not start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.

  • Limit how much alcohol you drink

Do not drink too much alcohol, which can raise your blood pressure. Men should have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day, and women should have no more than 1 alcoholic drink per day.

  • Get enough sleep
  • Manage stress
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