High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypertension is a main contributing factor for heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death in the United States. Nearly half of all adults have hypertension, but only about a quarter of these adults have their blood pressure under control.
As your blood flows throughout your body, it pushes against the walls of your arteries; this is what is known as blood pressure. It’s normal for your blood pressure to rise and fall throughout the day, and certain factors, such as anxiety, might cause it to become elevated in specific situations. However, if your blood pressure is chronically high, it can cause damage to your heart.
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing chronic high blood pressure. These include:
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Diabetes
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Lifestyle factors, such as obesity, an unhealthy diet, or a lack of physical activity
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Excessive consumption of alcohol or usage of tobacco
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A family history of high blood pressure
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Older age
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Race (over half of Black adults in the United States have hypertension)
There are steps you can take to manage your blood pressure and decrease your risk of medical complications. To prevent high blood pressure, it is most helpful to:
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Eat a healthy diet
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Maintain a healthy weight
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Engage in regular physical activity
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Avoid smoking
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Limit alcohol consumption (no more than two drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women)
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Get a sufficient amount of sleep each night
To control high blood pressure, you should:
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Regularly measure your blood pressure
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Make lifestyle changes to prevent your condition from worsening
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Get medical care for any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your high blood pressure
Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s expert cardiology specialists can high-quality care for chronic hypertension and any condition that may be causing it to occur. To schedule an appointment with a cardiologist, please call (718) 670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.