Hypertension: The Dangers of High Blood Pressure

In May, we celebrate hypertension awareness on the 17th of each year. With one of three US adults having high blood pressure, only about half actually have it under control. Not being able to take control of your blood pressure can lead to severe complications and increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, or even death. Today, in celebration of hypertension awareness, we will cover some small ways you can help tame your high blood pressure.

What Is Hypertension?

Before we continue, it is important to note that hypertension is just another way to put that someone has high blood pressure. Although normal blood pressure levels should be between 120 over 80 mm, hypertension is when its higher than 130 over 80 mm. With around 85 million people in America who have high blood pressure, this problem is global. So how do people get high blood pressure? There are many different reasons that probably attributed to your high blood pressure – one being smoking. Other lifestyle habits that lead to hypertension are being overweight, lack of physical activity, your age, and much more.  High blood pressure causes strokes, vision loss, heart failure, heart attacks, sexual dysfunctions, and kidney disease/heart failure.

Preventative Steps

There are many ways to lower your blood pressure in order to prevent any of those dangerous health problems. Most of the treatments for high blood pressure are lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt. Getting into a regular physical activity that gets your heart pumping also has great effects on your blood pressure. By limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, you can maintain your blood level. Maintaining your weight or even losing weight while obese will also help calm your blood pressure. In addition, you can talk to your doctor about receiving medications to help treat your blood pressure. Some options are Thiazide diuretics, Angiotensin-converting enzyme, Calcium channel blockers, and more. Be sure to talk to your doctor about which medication is best for you.

While some risk factors for hypertension are uncontrollable, there are preventative screening measures and treatment. Make sure your insurance covers preventative screenings and medications that can decrease your risk, such as medication for high blood pressure.

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