What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is created by the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as it circulates, and the force of the arteries as they resist the blood flow. When the force of your blood going through your blood vessels is too great, it's called high blood pressure.
The chronic condition without symptoms
High blood pressure is often referred to as the "silent condition." There are usually no symptoms or warning signs, which is why many people have hypertension without even knowing it. Serious complications can be avoided by getting regular blood pressure checks.
Your heart and high blood pressure
Hypertension means extra work for your heart. To pump blood through the body the heart has to work harder, making the heart muscle thicken and stretch. If the heart is too enlarged it cannot pump blood.
Your kidneys
Your kidneys remove waste from your blood. As hypertension thickens the arteries to the kidneys, less waste can be filtered from the blood. If the condition progresses, the kidneys can eventually fail.
Kidney failure
Hypertension is the second leading cause of end-stage kidney disease.
High blood pressure vs. your arteries
The cells of your arteries' inner lining can be damaged by high blood pressure, causing the artery walls to thicken and stiffen. This has negative effects throughout your body, blocking blood flow to your heart, kidneys, brain, arms, and legs.
Your brain
High blood pressure damages and weakens your brain's blood vessels, causing them to narrow, rupture, or leak. When the brain can't get enough oxygen due to the narrowed vessels, a stroke can occur.
Know your numbers
The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is if you know your numbers. A normal blood pressure for most adults is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If you blood pressure is consistently 140/90 mm HG or higher you have high blood pressure and may be at risk for serious medical conditions.
Age
The risk of high blood pressure will likely increase as you get older. In fact 67% of U.S. adults aged 60 years and older have high blood pressure, compared to 7% of U.S. adults aged 18-39.
Family history
High blood pressure runs in the family like many other chronic conditions. If you have close relatives with the disease, you are more likely to develop it, too. Although you can't control genetics, you can make certain lifestyle choices for a healthier life and seek treatment.
Gender
Before the age of 45, a higher percentage of men than women have high blood pressure. Between the ages of 45 and 64 the percentages are similar. And after the age of 64, a much higher percentage of woman than men have high blood pressure.
Ethnicity
Hypertension is much more prevalent within the African American population than within the white population.
The power of potassium
Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells. Without enough potassium, too much sodium could accumulate in your blood, raising your blood pressure.
Types of hypertension
In 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases in adults, there's no identifiable cause. This type of high blood pressure is called "essential" hypertension, which develops gradually. The other 5 to 10 percent of high blood pressure cases are caused by an underlying condition. This is called secondary hypertension, which comes on more suddenly than primary hypertension. Fortunately, both types of high blood pressure can be controlled with proper treatment.
The dangers of some OTC decongestants
If you have high blood pressure you should be cautious when choosing an over-the-counter cold medicine. Some OTC decongestants may raise your blood pressure or interfere with the effectiveness of some prescription blood pressure medications.
Risk of stroke
77% of Americans treated for a first stroke have blood pressure over 140/90.
Risk of heart attack
69% of Americans who have a first heart attack have blood pressure over 140/90.
Risk of heart failure
74% of Americans with congestive heart failure have blood pressure over 140/90.
Get active
Physical activity is a great way to give your circulatory system the "workout" it needs. A lifestyle that's inactive increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, blood vessel disease and stroke. Always talk to your healthcare professional before starting to diet or exercise.
Weight
Carrying around excess weight increases the strain on your heart. Losing as little as 10 to 20 pounds can make a big difference in lowering your high blood pressure and your risk of heart disease. Always talk to your healthcare professional before starting to diet or exercise.
Having high blood pressure
Approximately 22% of Americans living with high blood pressure aren’t even aware they have the condition.
Diabetes
A person with diabetes is twice as likely to have high blood pressure than a person without diabetes.
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