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What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of
arteries. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers—the
systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic
pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). The measurement
is written one above or before the other, with the systolic
number on top and the diastolic number on the bottom. For
example, a blood pressure measurement of 120/80 mmHg (millimeters
of mercury) is expressed verbally as "120 over 80."
Normal blood pressure is
less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases your chance (or risk) for
getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having
a stroke. It is especially dangerous because it often has
no warning signs or symptoms. Regardless of race, age, or
gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. It is estimated
that one in every four American adults has high blood pressure.
Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime.
You can prevent and control high blood pressure by taking
action.
What Are High Blood Pressure and Prehypertension?
Blood
pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries.
Blood pressure rises and falls during the day. When blood
pressure stays elevated over time, it is called high
blood pressure.
The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension.
High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart
work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening
of the arteries). It increases the risk of heart disease
and stroke, which are the first- and third-leading causes
of death among Americans. High blood pressure also can result
in other conditions, such as congestive heart failure, kidney
disease, and blindness.
A blood pressure level of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered
high. About two-thirds of people over age 65 have high blood
pressure. If your blood pressure is between 120/80 mmHg and
139/89 mmHg, then you have prehypertension. This
means that you don't have high blood pressure now but are
likely to develop it in the future. You can take steps to
prevent high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Those who do not have high blood pressure at age 55 face
a 90 percent chance of developing it during their lifetimes.
So high blood pressure is a condition that most people
have at some point in their lives.
Both numbers in a blood pressure test are important, but
for people who are 50 or older, systolic pressure gives the
most accurate diagnosis of high blood pressure. Systolic
pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading. It
is high if it is 140 mmHg or above.
What is systolic blood pressure?
Systolic pressure is the force of blood in the arteries
as the heart beats. It is shown as the top number in a blood
pressure reading. High blood pressure is 140 and higher for
systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure does not need to be
high for you to have high blood pressure. When that happens,
the condition is called "isolated systolic hypertension," or
ISH.
Is isolated systolic high blood pressure common?
Yes. It is the most common form of high blood pressure
for older Americans. For most Americans, systolic blood
pressure increases with age, while diastolic increases
until about age 55 and then declines. About 65 percent
of hypertensives over age 60 have ISH. You may have ISH
and feel fine. As with other types of high blood pressure,
ISH often causes no symptoms. To find out if you have ISH — or
any type of high blood pressure — see your doctor
and have a blood pressure test. The test is quick and painless.
Is isolated systolic high blood pressure dangerous?
Any form of high blood pressure is dangerous if not properly
treated. Both numbers in a blood pressure test are important,
but, for some, the systolic is especially meaningful. That's
because, for those persons middle aged and older, systolic
pressure gives a better diagnosis of high blood pressure.
If left uncontrolled, high systolic pressure can lead
to stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney
damage, blindness, or other conditions. While it cannot
be cured once it has developed, ISH can be controlled.
Clinical studies have proven that treating a high systolic
pressure saves lives, greatly reduces illness, and improves
the quality of life. Yet, most Americans do not have their
high systolic pressure under control.
Does it require special treatment?
Treatment options for ISH are the same as for other types
of high blood pressure, in which both systolic and diastolic
pressures are high. ISH is treated with lifestyle changes
and/or medications. The key for any high blood pressure
treatment is to bring the condition under proper control.
Blood pressure should be controlled to less than 140/90
mmHg. If yours is not, then ask your doctor why. You may
just need a lifestyle or drug change, such as reducing
salt in your diet or adding a second medication.
What is diastolic blood pressure?
Diastolic pressure is the force of blood in the arteries
as the heart relaxes between beats. It's shown as the bottom
number in a blood pressure reading.
The diastolic blood pressure has been and remains, especially
for younger people, an important hypertension number. The
higher the diastolic blood pressure the greater the risk
for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. As people
become older, the diastolic pressure will begin to decrease
and the systolic blood pressure begins to rise and becomes
more important. A rise in systolic blood pressure will also
increase the chance for heart attacks, strokes, and kidney
failure. Your physician will use both the systolic and the
diastolic blood pressure to determine your blood pressure
category and appropriate prevention and treatment activities.
Why Is High Blood Pressure Important?
High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart
work too hard. It also makes the walls of the arteries hard.
High blood pressure increases the risk
for heart disease and stroke, the first- and third-leading
causes of death for Americans. High blood pressure can also
cause other problems, such as heart failure, kidney disease,
and blindness.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
The
causes of high blood pressure vary. Causes may include narrowing
of the arteries, a greater than normal volume of blood, or
the heart beating faster or more forcefully than it should.
Any of these conditions will cause increased pressure against
the artery walls. High blood pressure might also be caused
by another medical problem. Most of the time, the cause is
not known. Although high blood pressure usually cannot be
cured, in most cases it can be prevented and controlled.
Who Can Develop High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is common. About 65 million American
adults — nearly 1 in 3 — have high blood pressure.
It is very common in African Americans, who may get it earlier
in life and more often than whites. Many Americans tend to
develop high blood pressure as they get older, but this is
not a part of healthy aging. Middle-aged Americans face a
90% chance of developing high blood pressure during their
lives. Others at risk for developing high blood pressure
are the overweight, those with a family history of high blood
pressure, and those with prehypertension (120–139/80–89
mmHg).
African Americans
High
blood pressure occurs more often among African Americans
than whites. It begins at an earlier age and is usually more
severe. Further, African Americans have a higher death rate
from stroke and kidney disease than whites. The good news
is, treatment can control high blood pressure. In addition,
lifestyle changes can prevent and control high blood pressure.
These include losing weight if overweight (losing 10 lbs
can help), increasing physical activity (walking 30 minutes
per day can help), following a healthy eating plan, that
emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy foods, choosing
and preparing foods with less salt and sodium, and if you
drink alcoholic beverages, drinking in moderation. If lifestyle
changes alone are not effective in keeping your blood pressure
controlled, there are many blood pressure medications to
help you.
To read the rest of this article, including diagnosis and
treatment of high blood pressure, from the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute, please click here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html
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