Blood Pressure Basics
May 23, 2023 | Tags:
High blood pressure is sneaky. In fact, it’s called the silent killer. If you have high blood pressure, or hypertension, you might not notice symptoms. But if you’re checking your blood pressure at regular intervals, you can address hypertension before it negatively impacts your health.
For those who haven’t been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your blood pressure reading may not hold a lot of significance. Let’s add some context.
What Does a Blood Pressure Reading Measure?
According to Dr. Ken Goetz, Manager, Medical Director for Clinical Quality and Health Services at Medical Mutual, blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Those arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Your blood pressure reading measures your pressure at two distinct moments.
“The first number is called systolic blood pressure. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats,” Dr. Goetz said. “The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. If your measurement reads 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, you would say you’re 120 over 80.”
You might also see the unit mm Hg associated with your reading. That abbreviation means millimeters of mercury, as mercury was used in the first accurate pressure gauges. According to Dr. Goetz, few blood pressure cuffs use mercury today, but mm Hg remains the standard unit of measurement for pressure.
Keeping tabs on the reading is important, but if you’re young, healthy and haven’t been diagnosed with hypertension, Dr. Goetz recommends that you don’t become preoccupied with daily checks with an at-home machine. Blood pressure can fluctuate, too, so it’s important not to fixate on just one test result.
“There’s a lot that can impact your blood pressure. Whether you’re stressed or relaxed can affect it. How recently you’ve exercised can affect it. Even something as simple as sitting down for five minutes can change your reading,” Dr. Goetz said.
Medicine you’re taking also can have a significant impact on your blood pressure. Some medications can make your blood pressure go up, while blood pressure medications will help lower it.
“That’s why it’s important to know all your medications and their side effects," Dr. Goetz added.
How Often Should You Check Your Blood Pressure?
There’s not a universal answer. It all depends on your unique health history and existing conditions. During your next visit with your primary care provider (PCP), ask how often you should be checking.
“And if you don’t have a PCP, get one,” Goetz said.
You’ll likely get a reading when you visit your PCP for your annual wellness check, or if you have an appointment with a specialist. Sometimes providers will even take your blood pressure during dental appointments.
Look at how all your readings trend over time. This will help account for the many variables that can affect your results. Be sure to share that information with your PCP.
When Your Blood Pressure is Elevated
If your systolic is below 120 and your diastolic is below 80, your blood pressure is considered normal, according to experts. If the average of your readings is high, your PCP will classify you into one of the following stages, determined by the American Heart Association.
- Elevated blood pressure: Systolic 120-129 and diastolic less than 80. Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes and monitoring your blood pressure.
- Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90. Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes and should also consider starting you on one or multiple medications to lower your blood pressure.
- Hypertensive crisis: Your blood pressure is 180/120 or higher. You may also have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness/weakness and trouble with vision or speaking. This is an emergency. Call 911.
Why is it High?
According to Dr. Goetz, genetics play some role in your blood pressure, as well as your risk for heart disease and related conditions. Your blood pressure tends to rise as you get older, too. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 70% of adults over 65 have hypertension. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states about 9 out of 10 Americans will develop high blood pressure during their lifetime.
Risks of Having Hypertension
High blood pressure can come hand in hand with other health issues. While they aren’t directly linked, hypertension and high cholesterol have a complex relationship, Dr. Goetz said.
“When the body can’t clear cholesterol from the bloodstream, the arteries become stiff and narrow from the deposits, and the heart has to work harder, causing blood pressure to go up,” Dr. Goetz said.
If high blood pressure isn’t controlled, you’re also at increased risk for a heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease.
High blood pressure is common in individuals with diabetes as well. About 60% of people with diabetes also have hypertension, according to the CDC. The good news is that lifestyle changes that help people maintain healthy glucose levels can also improve blood pressure.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure in Check
You’re wondering what you can do to manage your blood pressure? Chances are you already know.
“We’ve all heard this list before, but actually doing it is the hard part,” Dr. Goetz said. “Eat a well-balanced diet low in salt, limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly, manage your stress levels and weight, stop smoking if you are a smoker, and take your medications as directed.”
Getting adequate sleep also will help you keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.
“The bottom line here is knowing your numbers,” Dr. Goetz said. “If your blood pressure is elevated, then do something about it! See your physician. If you need to, take medications as prescribed.”
Your doctor will help determine the best treatment for you. Once you’ve started a blood pressure medication regimen, it’s important to keep taking the medicine exactly as prescribed. Abruptly stopping these medications can lead to serious health consequences.