Table of Contents
Why is it important to know about hypertension?
High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death for Americans. High blood pressure is also very common. Tens of millions of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and many do not have it under control.
What are 3 consequences of high blood pressure?
Having blood pressure measures consistently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure (or hypertension). The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
What information does blood pressure give us?
Systolic blood pressure, the top number, measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries each time it beats. Diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number, measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries in between beats.
What are complications of hypertension?
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications including:
- Heart attack or stroke.
- Aneurysm.
- Heart failure.
- Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys.
- Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Trouble with memory or understanding.
- Dementia.
Who is affected by hypertension?
Hypertension affects an estimated 29 percent of adults in the United States. Prevalence of the condition increases with age, and approximately 63 percent of people over age 60 are affected. In African Americans, the condition is more common, starts at a younger age, and is more severe than in other populations.
What are safety considerations for hypertension?
How can I prevent high blood pressure?
- Eating a healthy diet. To help manage your blood pressure, you should limit the amount of sodium (salt) that you eat and increase the amount of potassium in your diet.
- Getting regular exercise.
- Being at a healthy weight.
- Limiting alcohol.
- Not smoking.
- Managing stress.
What are the risks of high blood pressure?
What are some interesting facts about high blood pressure?
High Blood Pressure Facts. First stroke: About 8 of every 10 people having their first stroke have high blood pressure. 2 Chronic (long lasting) heart failure: About 7 of every 10 people with chronic heart failure have high blood pressure. 2 Kidney disease is also a major risk factor for high blood pressure. Although you cannot control all…
What happens if your blood pressure is too high for You?
But if it stays high for a long time, it can damage your heart and lead to health problems. High blood pressure raises your risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. 1. High blood pressure has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it.
What happens when your blood pressure changes throughout the day?
Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. Having blood pressure measures consistently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure (or hypertension). The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Why is it important to manage your blood pressure?
The good news is that, in most cases, you can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems. High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease.