WHAT IS Hypertension?
Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure your blood exerts on your arteries. It is written like this: 120/80 mm Hg. The first number is the systolic pressure and measures the pressure on the arteries when your heart beats. The bottom number is the diastolic pressure and measures the pressure on the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. Hypertension means that blood flows through your arteries at higher than normal pressures.
Statistics
It is estimated that about 75 million American adults, or 1 in every 3 adults, have high blood pressure. Only about half (54%) of people with hypertension have their condition under control. Living with high blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of death in the United States.
Risk Factors |
What Can Hypertension Cause? |
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As you age, blood pressure rises naturally. Being overweight, smoking, or having diabetes increases one’s risk of developing high blood pressure.1 Genetics may also play a factor in developing hypertension. If you have a family history of hypertension, take preventative measures and check your blood pressure often. Ethnicity may play a factor as well. Studies have shown African Americans are more at risk for an early, more severe, development of hypertension.
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When your body experiences high blood pressure over a long period of time, it can have damaging effects on many parts of your body. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, aneurysm, and other health problems.
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Standard Ranges*
*single readings are subject to error and a variety of factors. Details should be discussed with a healthcare professional |
HOW CAN I LOWER MY HIGH
Healthy lifestyle habits can help you control high blood pressure or prevent it from occuring.1 Eating foods that are low in salt, high in potassium, and consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables can help treat high blood pressure. Additional measures that can help lower blood pressure include: weight loss, limited alcohol use, no smoking, and physically activity. |
How can IMSS help?
Regularly monitoring blood pressure is important for early detection of high blood pressure. Hypertension is known as the “silent killer” because it shows minimal symptoms or warning signs until it is too late. Because it can go undetected for many years, it is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. This is why IMSS offers free blood pressure readings to all patients seen at our health screening.
References:
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention