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High
Blood Pressure
A Common But Controllable Disorder
You may be surprised
if your doctor says you have high blood pressure (HBP) because
it does not cause symptoms and you can have it even though you
feel fine. But HBP is a serious condition that can lead to stroke,
heart disease, kidney failure, and other health problems. The
good news is that there are simple ways to control it.
What Is HBP?
As blood flows from the heart out to the blood vessels, it creates
pressure against the blood vessel walls. Your blood pressure
reading is a measure of this pressure. When that reading goes
above a certain point, it is called high blood pressure. Hypertension
is another name for HBP.
As many as 50 million
Americans may have HBP. Among people age 65 and older, about
40 percent of Whites and 50 percent of Blacks have HBP.
How Is It Tested?
To test blood pressure, a doctor or nurse places a cuff around
your arm above the elbow, pumps air into the cuff, and then
reads the measurements as the air is let out. The test is painless
and takes only a few minutes.
Your blood pressure
measurement may be taken several times. You may be asked to
stand one time and sit another. If your blood pressure is high
the first day, the doctor will want measurements from different
days before deciding whether you really have high blood pressure.
These steps are needed because blood pressure changes so quickly.
Also, it is affected by many things, including the normal feelings
of worry during a visit to the doctor.
Because HBP is so
common, everyone should have his or her blood pressure tested
once a year. Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers.
Although the average blood pressure reading for adults is 120/80,
a slightly higher or lower reading (for either number) may not
be a problem. If blood pressure goes above 140/90, however,
some form of treatment diet or drugs may be needed. Lower blood
pressure readings (for example, 110/70) are thought to be safe
for most people.
What If Just
The First Number Is High?
Often in older adults the first number (the upper or systolic
number) is high while the second (the lower or diastolic) number
is normal. This condition is called isolated systolic hypertension,
and it also should be treated. Studies prove that lowering the
systolic number cuts down on strokes and heart attacks in people
age 60 and over.
What Causes HBP?
Some cases of HBP are caused by other illnesses. This kind of
HBP is called secondary hypertension, and it is often cured
once the original medical problem is cured. Most HBP, however,
is essential or primary hypertension. This kind cannot be cured
but can be kept under control by regular, ongoing treatment.
Doctors think that
many things combine to cause HBP. Being overweight, drinking
too much alcohol, and eating too much salt are risk factors
because they raise your risk of having HBP. They do not cause
it directly.
Blood pressure goes
up in all people during periods of stress or exercise. But avoiding
stress will not prevent high blood pressure. You can have HBP
even though you are usually a calm, relaxed person.
How Is HBP Treated?
If you have mild HBP, your doctor may suggest that you lose
weight and keep it off, eat less salt, cut down on alcohol,
and get more exercise. You may bring your blood pressure down
simply by following this advice. Even if medicine is needed,
these daily habits may help it work better.
Some people think
that when their blood pressure comes down, they no longer need
treatment. If your doctor has prescribed medicine, you may have
to take it for the rest of your life. Later on, though, you
may be able to take less of it.
Can HBP Be Prevented?
There is now good evidence that HBP can be prevented in many
people. The keys to prevention are:
- Keeping your weight
moderate;
- Cutting down on
salt;
- Exercising regularly;
and
- If you drink,
having no more than two drinks a day.
HBP Checklist
- HBP may not make
you feel sick, but it is serious and should be treated by
a doctor.
- You can bring
down your blood pressure with changes in diet and daily habits
and by taking medicines if necessary.
- Losing weight,
cutting down on salt and alcohol, and getting regular exercise
may be helpful, but only as suggested by your doctor. Do not
assume these are substitutes for medicine unless your doctor
says they are.
- If one day’s dose
of medicine is missed, do not double up the next day. Instead,
call your doctor for advice.
- Take your medicine
at the same time each day-for example, in the morning or evening
after brushing teeth to help set a regular, easy to remember
routine.
Resources
For more information
on HBP, contact:
National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
301-251-1222
For more information
about health and aging, including nutrition, exercise, and smoking,
contact:
The National
Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
1-800-222-2225
1-800-222-4225 (TTY)
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