Related Media: High Blood Pressure and the DASH Diet

Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure. High blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. It carries with it an increased risk of death and disability from coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.

High blood pressure is very common but can't be seen or felt. Many people with high blood pressure don't know they have it. The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to keep track of your numbers. You can get your blood pressure checked at your doctor's office, at home, or at your local pharmacy. It's important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Defining High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is defined by 2 numbers (systolic and diastolic). The systolic or top number measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart is pushing. The diastolic or bottom number measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats.

In general, systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) less than 80 mm Hg are considered normal. Your doctor will help you decide what your specific blood pressure goals should be. They will consider factors like your overall health and age. Targets may be lower for those with diabetes or kidney disease. Even slightly higher blood pressure can increase the risk of complications with these health issues.

Common Risk Factors

There is no single cause for high blood pressure, but there are several factors that can increase your risk.

Some risk factors for high blood pressure include:

• Age: middle-aged or elderly—onset generally happens at 20-50 years, but likelihood increases with age
• Race: African American
• Gender: Male

Medical factors, such as:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome—A condition marked by elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and body weight. Excess weight centered around the midsection is of particular concern.
• A family history of high blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Prehypertension

Lifestyle factors, such as:

• Smoking
• Being physically inactive
• Taking birth control pills
• Having diet high in red meat, salt, and saturated and trans fats
• High alcohol intake

Risk factors don't mean you will get high blood pressure, but that you have an increased chance of developing it. Fortunately, there are also factors that can help you prevent high blood pressure or lower your blood pressure if you already have elevated blood pressure.

Lifestyle Guidelines to Prevent or Reduce High Blood Pressure

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s recommendations to help prevent or lower high blood pressure include:

• Losing weight if you are overweight
• Increasing levels of physical activity—Aim for 30 minutes per day on most days of the week.
• Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products
• Eating a diet that is low in saturated and total fat
• Limiting consumption of sodium (salt) to less than 2,300 milligrams per day
• Drinking alcohol only in moderation—This means 1 drink or less per day for women and 2 drinks per day or less for men.

Another approach endorsed by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is use of the DASH diet. This is a special low-salt diet which has been shown effective in both preventing and treating high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a major player in heart disease and stroke. Protect yourself and know your numbers. The next time you take a trip to the pharmacy, check your blood pressure. If you do it on a regular basis and follow the lifestyle guidelines, you may be able to avoid future problems.