Putting the Brakes on High Blood Pressure

By Marjie Gilliam

February is American Heart Month, so let's talk about blood pressure.

One way to lower your risk of developing heart disease is to check your blood pressure on a regular basis.

Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of the arteries. Blood-pressure readings consist of two numbers, such as 120/80, measured in millimeters (mm) of mercury (Hg), written as mmHg. The top number (systolic) is the pressure in your arteries as your heart contracts and pumps blood through them. The bottom number (diastolic) measures the pressure when your heart is at rest between beats.

Both numbers are important, although age does play a part in interpretation and treatment of readings. Studies have suggested it is more important to focus on systolic pressure as a major risk factor for heart disease in those older than 50. As we age, systolic blood pressure rises steadily, while diastolic hypertension usually predominates before age 50, begins to level off, and then tends to remain the same or fall later in life.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common yet controllable disorder that by latest estimates is thought to affect nearly one in three adults in the United States. It is called the "silent killer" because people who have it rarely experience any symptoms. In fact, nearly one-third of those with hypertension are unaware they have it.

Because of the lack of symptoms when blood pressure is elevated, readings are extremely important. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk for developing heart disease and stroke. Even a mild case of untreated hypertension can double your chance of having a heart attack, and a moderate case can triple it. Elevated blood cholesterol is also a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, so risk is multiplied for those who have both high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can occur in people who appear fit and healthy but may have other uncontrollable risk factors, and not occur in those with less-than-healthy lifestyles. Blood pressure is influenced by many things, some of which we have no control over, such as age, sex, race and family history. However, there are many controllable factors associated with hypertension, including diet, exercise, weight control and stress levels.

Lifestyle modification can reverse heart and circulatory diseases >