High Blood Pressure - Educate Yourself

Did you know that about one in every three to four adults in the United States has high blood pressure, and about a quarter of those who have it are unaware that they have it? May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Franciscan Physicians Hospital encourages you to know the facts and arm yourself with helpful information and tips to reduce high blood pressure so that you have a lower risk of other complications.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. High blood pressure, or "hypertension," often has no obvious cause, although many factors can contribute. When you have high blood pressure, your blood vessels are too narrow (constricted) or they may have too much blood volume circulating in them. High blood pressure puts an additional strain on blood vessels throughout your body and increases the workload on the heart.

Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as two numbers -- for example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg). One or both of these numbers can be too high.

The top number is your systolic pressure.

• It is considered high if it is over 140 most of the time.
• It is considered normal if it is below 120 most of the time.

The bottom number is your diastolic pressure.

• It is considered high if it is over 90 most of the time.
• It is considered normal if it is below 80 most of the time.

Blood Pressure Screening Guidelines

• Current guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all adults age 18 years and older have their blood pressure measured.
• People with high blood pressure should be screened for diabetes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all patients with blood readings of 135/80 mm Hg or higher be screened for type 2 diabetes. (The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for patients with blood pressure greater than 140/90.)

Lifestyle Changes and High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle changes are important for preventing and treating high blood pressure. Healthy changes include maintaining a normal weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption to no more than one or two drinks a day, reducing salt intake, and increasing potassium intake.

Talk with your doctor. Even if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checked during your yearly check-up, especially if someone in your family has or had high blood pressure. Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Read more about high blood pressure in our Online Care Guide +