According to the CDC, about half of all adults in the United States have Hypertension. Only about 1 in 4 of these individuals with hypertension have the condition under control. When left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to serious illnesses such as heart disease, with heart disease being the number one cause of death in the United States. In addition, uncontrolled hypertension increases your risk of stroke and kidney disease.  But, what exactly is hypertension? And how can you know if you are at risk? In this article, some of these important questions will be answered.

What is hypertension?

Each time your heart beats, fresh blood leaves the heart to supply the rest of your body.  The blood must travel through a network of tubes, commonly referred to as arteries in order to reach important organs. In some people, the pressure of the blood against the artery walls can be too high.  This condition is known as hypertension or high blood pressure.  A normal blood pressure reading is considered to be 120/80 or lower.  As you can see, this blood pressure reading has two numbers.  These numbers both describe the force of blood flowing through your arteries. The amount of force the heart uses to pump blood out of the heart is called systolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the upper number in a blood pressure reading. The amount of pressure on the arteries when the heart rests between each beat is called diastolic blood pressure. This number is the lower number in a blood pressure reading.    If either number is consistently elevated, you are considered to have hypertension. The increased work of pushing against this pressure is difficult for your heart and arteries to manage.   If hypertension is left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, or cause other irreversible damages to your body.

Who is at risk of developing high blood pressure?

There are several risk factors that increase your likelihood to develop high blood pressure. Some of these risk factors cannot be changed, so are referred to as non-modifiable risk factors.  A few examples  of non-modifiable risk factors include:

• Family history - hypertension tends to be hereditary, so if several of your family members developed high blood pressure before the age of 60, you may also be at risk.
• Age- the arteries of the body stiffen as you age, making it more difficult for blood to reach the rest of the body. Because of this, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure as you age.
• Race- high blood pressure is more common in African American and Hispanic individuals than people of other racial backgrounds in the United States.
• Gender - both men and women are affected by hypertension. Men are more likely to develop the condition before age 64. In women, the risk of high blood pressure may increase after menopause, while pregnant, or on certain types of birth control.

While you cannot change your family history or the fact that you will grow older, you can change certain habits that increase your risk of developing hypertension. These are called modifiable risk factors and include the following:

• Diet - eating a healthy diet can help to lower your blood pressure. It is important to reduce salt intake, limit sugar, and avoid processed foods. Instead, you are encouraged to opt for fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your daily diet. Working with a dietician can help you to better understand a heart-healthy diet.
• Exercise - Physical activity at a moderate intensity for about 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week can reduce your blood pressure and improve your heart health. An example of moderate-intensity activity is walking at a brisk pace. There are many options for exercise and it is important to find an exercise you enjoy.
• Weight - weight loss is an excellent way to reduce your blood pressure and improve your overall health.
• Drinking alcohol - Drinking too much alcohol can lead to increased blood pressure and heart disease. Men are encouraged to limit alcohol intake to less than 2 drinks per day, while women are encouraged to have no more than one alcoholic beverage per day.
• Smoking cigarettes- smoking tobacco products is linked to increased blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease. Your healthcare provider can work with you to help you stop smoking.

I'd Know If I Have Hypertension, Right?:

You may be wondering why you should worry about hypertension, especially if you are not experiencing any discomfort. The reality is that most people with hypertension do not experience any symptoms at all.  In fact, hypertension is often referred to as the “silent killer” for this very reason.  The strain of this pressure can damage the arteries all over the body, increasing your likelihood of developing heart disease, stroke, vision problems, and kidney disease. Once these damages occur they often can not be reversed.  This is why it is extremely important to identify and manage hypertension as soon as possible.

How Do I Know if I Have Hypertension:

The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked by a medical professional.  People can live with high blood pressure for years, with no symptoms. Even when no symptoms are present, untreated hypertension does damage the body.

What steps can I take to address hypertension?

When you make an appointment with a health care provider, your blood pressure will be measured with a blood pressure cuff.  In addition to making lifestyle changes,  most people will need medication to lower their blood pressure.  It is important to follow up with your health care provider after starting medication because in many cases the medications will need to be adjusted until the blood pressure is at an appropriate level.  Each individual will require a personalized plan for lowering blood pressure.  At Vitable Health we will partner with you to make the best plan for your lifestyle.  If you would like to start the journey toward better heart health, please schedule an appointment on our app or contact our concierge team today!