How to Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control
Many men don't
even think about their blood pressure. Well, maybe you do, when
someone makes you mad or you get really upset about something.
Aggravating events tend to cause a temporary rise in blood pressure.
What we're talking about here is
something more serious: "hypertension," or high blood
pressure that remains elevated over time. This condition can
be a symptom of something else going on in your body or, uncontrolled,
it can signal problems to come. Keeping your blood pressure
under control is tremendously important to your overall health.
High blood pressure is one of several factors associated with
cardiovascular disease, which is the number one killer of Americans.both
men and women. Cardiovascular disease claims more lives annually
than all cancers combined, killing approximately one million
people in the U.S. each year. It disables countless others.
High blood pressure is often silent
-- or without symptoms -- until a major problem develops. That's
why it's essential to see your primary care physician for checkups
on a regular basis. Such checkups can literally save your life.
Your doctor can help you prevent high blood pressure or, at
minimum, treat it at an earlier stage when it's easier to manage.
The lowdown
on high blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force of the flowing blood against the
walls of the arteries. It's measured in two numbers .for example,
'140/90.' The first number (140) is systolic pressure, the pressure
when the heart contracts and pumps the blood through the body.
The lower number (90) is diastolic pressure, the pressure between
pumps, when the heart is resting.
120/80 is considered normal. You
have high blood pressure (hypertension) if your blood- pressure
reading is equal to or greater than 140/90 for extended periods
of time. Elevated blood pressure means your heart is working
harder than normal, putting both your heart and arteries under
a greater strain.
FACT:
As many as 50 million Americans either have high blood pressure
or are taking high blood pressure medication.
What
causes high blood pressure?
The cause of high blood pressure is unknown in 90% of cases.
This is called "essential hypertension." In secondary
hypertension, a disease or other physical problem is behind
the disease. Common causes are kidney or thyroid disease. Many
factors are associated with high blood pressure, including genetics,
age, race, stress, obesity, smoking, a high- salt diet, smoking,
excessive consumption of alcohol, and a sedentary lifestyle.
What are the
symptoms?
High blood pressure can develop over many years with no noticeable
symptoms. That's why regular blood pressure checks are so important.
Only when high blood pressure is severe do symptoms appear.
Warning signs can include nosebleeds, racing or irregular heartbeat,
headaches, and dizziness. It's a mistake to conclude that you
don t have high blood pressure because you don't have any symptoms.
Males are affected
earlier
Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women
in young adulthood and early middle age; thereafter, the incidence
of high blood pressure is higher among women. In general, our
blood pressure tends to rise as we get older -- that's true
for both men and women.
High blood pressure is serious
business. Allowed to run unchecked, it can cause many health
problems, including heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and
blindness. On average, people with uncontrolled high blood pressure
are:
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Seven times more
likely to have a stroke. |
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Six times more
likely to develop congestive heart failure. |
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Three times more
likely to have a heart attack. |
How to
keep high blood pressure under control
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, it's extremely
important that you follow your doctor's treatment guidelines
to the letter. These guidelines include keeping your diet low
in fat, reducing your salt intake, quitting smoking, and limiting
your alcohol consumption.
In addition, you should exercise
regularly, keep your weight within normal bounds, and learn
to manage stress (instead of letting it manage you). Some recent
research suggests that constant stress and pressure may predispose
some men to continually elevated blood pressure later in life.
Hey, what's
wrong with salt, anyway?
Excessive salt can make high blood pressure worse. It causes
water retention, which makes your heart work harder than it
has to. The National High Blood Pressure Education Program recommends
no more than 2,400 mg per day (the amount in about 1 teaspoon
of table salt). On average, Americans consume 4,000 to 6,000
milligrams of sodium daily.
CHECKLIST for
blood pressure control
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Have your blood
pressure checked regularly. Your primary care physician
can tell you how often. |
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Stop smoking. |
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Avoid excessive
salt intake. |
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Eat more fresh
fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fiber.and less fat. |
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Reduce stress
on and off the job; master relaxation techniques. |
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Be moderate in
your drinking. |
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Exercise regularly,
and keep your weight within normal limits. |
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If your doctor
prescribes medication to lower your blood pressure, be sure
to follow his or her directions exactly. |
The right
first step.
If you currently don t have a primary care physician, get one.
If you have a physician but haven't had a physical exam -- including
a blood pressure check -- in some time, make an appointment
to see your doctor as soon as possible. To read an article on
how to choose a primary care physician who is right for you.
