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HYPERTENSION FACTS |
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Wellpoint Medical Clinic |
Overview
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the most common cardiovascular disease.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Because the arteries carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body, blood pressure is an indication of heart health.
Your blood pressure rises and falls during the day in response to activities and diet.
Blood Pressure Measurements
The only way to know if you have hypertension is to measure your blood pressure. A blood pressure monitor measures systolic and diastolic pressure. Both use units of mmHg. Systolic is the top number and measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Diastolic is the bottom number and measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.
Consistent blood pressure readings of 120/80 mmHg or lower are considered normal. Higher numbers indicate that your heart is working too hard to pump blood to the rest of your body.
· Normal: 90–120/60–80
· Elevated: 120–129/60–80
· Hypertension Stage 1: 130–139/80–89
· Hypertension Stage 2: 140–179/90–119
· Critical: 180/120 or higher
Normal blood pressure means you should maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent hypertension. Elevated blood pressure has a good chance of developing into hypertension but can be managed with diet and exercise. You can also manage Hypertension Stage 1 with diet and exercise, though you might also need medication. Hypertension Stage 2 is a serious condition that requires medication and changes in lifestyle habits. Critical blood pressure readings need urgent care even if you experience no symptoms.
Hypertension Prevalence
About 30 percent of adults in the U.S. have hypertension. It is more likely in people with a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes. It is also more common in people who are older than 55, overweight, inactive, and drink or smoke heavily.
Quick Facts
According to the American Heart Association, of people who have hypertension:
74.9% are under current treatment.
52.5% are controlling it.
47.5% are not controlling it.
Wellpoint Patients
Wellpoint Medical Clinic conducted an extensive survey of its patients to assess and monitor treatments of common cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Prevalence as compared to the general U.S. population is shown in the following table. As a Wellpoint patient, you are doing well to keep these numbers below the national average.
Prevalence of Hypertension by Age
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Prevention and Treatment
Even if your blood pressure is normal, you should do what you can to lower your risk of developing hypertension, especially as you age.
You can prevent and manage hypertension through changes to your lifestyle. Approaches that have proven to be effective are eating a healthy diet low in sodium (salt) and high in potassium. Bananas, potatoes, salmon, lentils, and Brussels sprouts are a few of the foods high in potassium. A diet that is lower in fat and includes plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is a healthy way to prevent many cardiovascular diseases.
To decrease sodium intake, read food labels and choose low-salt products when they are available. Eat fewer processed foods in general to avoid added salt. Gradually replace salt in the food you cook with herbs and spices.
Part of a healthy diet is moderation in eating and drinking alcoholic beverages. Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can raise blood pressure and reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications. Some people are also sensitive to caffeine and experience a rise in blood pressure when they consume coffee and other caffeinated beverages.
Getting regular exercise can also lower your blood pressure. Part of your exercise routine should include aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or biking. Aerobic exercise makes your heart beat harder and use more oxygen than usual. Exercise should become part of your daily activities to prevent and treat high blood pressure.
Being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk for hypertension. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk for other health problems as well. Weight loss is one of the most effective ways to control high blood pressure if you already have it.
Learning how to relax and manage stress can improve your physical and emotional health and lower high blood pressure. Stress management includes exercising, relaxing to music, meditating, and performing yoga.
The following table summarizes the prevention and treatment strategies for hypertension.
Physical activityEngage in at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, which is 30 minutes a day for five days a week. |
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Healthy, low-salt dietEat a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium. |
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Healthy weightMaintain a healthy weight, reducing pounds, if necessary, especially around the waistline. |
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Manage stressMake time to relax and engage in activities you enjoy. Get the amount of sleep you need every night, and find solutions, such as yoga or meditation, that reduce stress for you. |
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