A blood pressure that goes up and stays up above 140 mm Hg (systolic) over 90 mm Hg (diastolic) is considered high blood pressure, also called hypertension.
Who is at Risk?
Know the Risk Factors
Many of the factors that could put you at risk for high blood pressure are related to lifestyle.
These include:
- An unhealthy diet
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Stress
- Sleep apnea
- Kidney disease
- Smoking
Some of the other risk factors aren’t possible to control. If one or more of these describes you, it’s even more important to be aware of the risks of high blood pressure and take steps to prevent it.
- Being over 65
- A family history of high blood pressure
- Being of African, South Asian or Aboriginal descent
What Should You Watch Out For?
Watch for These Things
Most people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms. However, some people with high BP who do may experience signs like headaches, vision problems, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
When a doctor checks your blood pressure and the reading is high, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. It’s only possible to be sure you have high blood pressure after the blood pressure is measured several times in a relaxed setting by a health professional.
Be sure to visit your local drug store to keep an eye on your blood pressure. Use their in-store blood pressure machines to measure your blood pressure and speak with your pharmacist about your results.
What Can You Do?
Talk to a Doctor
Make sure to have your blood pressure measured at least once every two years, or more often if your doctor recommends it. Many pharmacies have blood pressure machines you can use on your own at no charge – try it out!
It’s All About Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to keeping your blood pressure under control.
- Eat a balanced diet from all four food groups. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and salt.
- Maintain a healthy body weight. If you are overweight, losing even a modest amount of weight can help reduce your blood pressure.
- Limit your alcohol intake to 1 to 2 drinks per day.
- Stress management. Learn how to deal with stress in a healthy way can help reduce your blood pressure.
Get Treatment
The doctor needs to assess why you have high BP, and may need to treat an underlying disorders. Fortunately, there are a number of medications are available to control blood pressure. Your doctor may also recommend a home blood pressure monitoring system.
