Ask the Doc...
About High Blood Pressure
-By Margaret Tremwel
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (hypertension) means that the pressure in your arteries is consistently above the normal range. It can lead to stroke, heart attack or kidney failure. Two numbers represent blood pressure. The top number (systolic) is the pressure while the heart is beating and the bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.
What is normal blood pressure?
A blood pressure less than 140 over 90 is considered normal.
Does high blood pressure happen to tense or nervous people?
Having hypertension does not mean that you are tense, nervous or hyperactive. You can be a calm person and still have high blood pressure. You usually can’t tell if you have it!
How can I know if I have high blood pressure?
The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked regularly by your doctor.
Who is at risk for high blood pressure?
- People with close blood relatives who have high blood pressure
- African Americans
- People over age 35
- Overweight people
- People who eat too much salt
- People who use too much alcohol
- Women who take birth control pills
- People who exercise less than 3 days per week
- Pregnant women
What should I do to control high blood pressure?
Even if you have had a prior stroke or heart attack, controlling high blood pressure can help prevent another one.
- Know your blood pressure.
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Eat a healthy diet low in salt, total fat and cholesterol
- Eat at least 3-5 fruits and vegetable servings per day
- Exercise at least a 30 min walk, 3-5 days per week
- Limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks per day if you are a man and 1 drink per day if you are a woman.
- Take medicine the way your doctor tells you
