High blood pressure or hypertension is a serious medical condition that often goes undiagnosed. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about 1 in 3 U.S. adults with high blood pressure aren’t even aware they have it. High blood pressure is often symptomless but its effect on the body can be profound.
High blood pressure is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney damage, strokes and even an increased risk of death. However, the good news is that when high blood pressure is diagnosed and treated early, many of its harmful effects can be prevented.
Diagnosing high blood pressure
The vast majority of adults with high blood pressure will not experience any obvious symptoms. For this reason it is extremely important to have your blood pressure checked on a routine basis by a healthcare provider.
If your blood pressure reading is consistently higher than 140/90 mmHg on multiple occasions then you may have high blood pressure.
What to do if you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure
After receiving a diagnosis of high blood pressure, speak to your doctor about your blood pressure readings to determine how high it is. Make note of this number. Your doctor may recommend a lower target blood pressure that you should try to achieve in the next few weeks and months. Lowering your blood pressure can be done in a number of ways
Lifestyle changes
The most effective ways of managing high blood pressure comes down to the individual. You can take personal steps right now to help control your blood pressure. This includes
- Dietary changes -reduce excessive salt consumption, cut down on saturated fat and trans fats and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.
- Physical activity – consider starting a regular exercise routine such as walking, gardening, swimming or light jogging. Start slowly and find an activity that fits into your lifestyle. Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week).
- Smoking – If you are a smoker then try your best to quit. Your doctor will be a great source of assistance and can provide you with stop-smoking resources.
- Alcohol – Where possible, try to give up alcohol completely. However, if that is not realistic for your lifestyle then consumption should be kept at a moderate level.
Medication
If lifestyle changes do not appear to be working, medications may be an option that your doctor discusses with you.
Other steps you can take to help lower your blood pressure
- Invest in a home blood pressure monitoring kit – these can be purchased cheaply at most pharmacies and grocery stores. Regularly monitoring your own blood pressure is a great way to keep an eye on how you’re doing and determine if your management is headed in the right direction.
- Refer to reputable online sources like the American Heart Association that have helpful tips about how to manage high blood pressure in your day-to-day life.
Getting control of your blood pressure is possible. The greatest chance of success will involve using some or all of the methods listed above but be sure to speak to your provider for personalized options that will best suit you.
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/5_surprising_facts.htm
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/high-blood-pressure-understanding-silent-killer