UNDERSTANDING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure is when the force of the blood inside of blood vessels is higher than normal without coming back down. It is also called hypertension.
As your heart pumps blood out, it travels through the system of blood vessels in your body. To move the blood from point A to point B, force is required. Too much force damages the blood vessels, though. (Like punching a walk over and over again. Eventually, there will be damage to the plaster.)
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
More damage to blood vessels means more force is needed to pump the blood through this system of tubes. (It’s harder to drive on a bumpy, damaged road than a smooth paved one!) This means your heart has to work harder. Also, the blood vessels don’t work to move the blood (which carries oxygen required for life) as well. Your organs (kidney, brain, heart muscle, etc.) don’t get the oxygen they need and they then become damaged.
Lastly, with untreated high blood pressure, your body gets used to more force being needed to get blood to those organs and tissues. It won’t tolerate drops in your blood pressure. This is what happens in certain kinds of strokes and heart attacks. Not enough pressure is available to get the blood where it is needed, and the tissue doesn’t get oxygen.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
-
You won’t feel that your blood pressure is high. If you do, it’s WAY TOO HIGH
-
Both numbers (top and bottom) of your blood pressure are important to monitor and manage
-
One high reading of your blood pressure is not a diagnosis of high blood pressure/hypertension
-
Ask your doctor what the goal blood pressure reading is for your treatment plan
-
Losing just 10% of your weight ( ex: from 200 lbs down to 180 lbs) can improve blood pressure enough to get off of medication. For some, just 10 lbs is enough
WHAT DOES BLOOD PRESSURE DAMAGE?
Brain Stroke
Vision loss
and Blindness
Heart Attack
and Heart Failure
Sex organ
dysfunction in men
Kidney Dysfunction Kidney Failure
Brain Stroke
GOALS & DEFINITIONS
The two numbers you see on your blood pressure reading are the force of blood on the walls of your blood vessels at two different times
Blood Pressure Category | Systolic (mmHg) | and/or | Diastolic (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|---|
Normal | Less than 120 | and | Less than 80 |
Elevated | 120-129 | and | Less tan 80 |
Stage 1 Hypertension
| 130-139 | or | 80-89 |
Stage 2 Hypertension | 140 or Higher | or | 90 or higher |
Stage 3 Hypertensive Crisis
(seek medical attention immediately) | Higher than 180 | and/or | Higher than 120 |
UNDERSTANDING YOUR PILLS
Water Pill
These pills make you pee out extra water. Your blood pressure goes down because you have less blood to pump around.
Blood Vessel Relaxation
These pills make the walls of your blood vessels less tight. Think adding driving lanes on a busy road. There’s more space for cars so there’s less stress.
Heart Rate Pill
These pills make your heart beat slower. This helps decrease the work on your heart and protects the heart muscle.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR
-
Why do I need to check my blood pressure at home?
-
How often do I need to measure my blood pressure?
-
What is considered a normal blood pressure for me?
-
What should I do if my readings aren’t good?
-
What lifestyle changes can help bring my blood pressure down?
-
Do I need to take medicine to manage my blood pressure?
-
What other things can affect a blood pressure reading?
TO DO LIST
Get your own blood pressure cuff
(an automate one is easier for most to use rather than a device with the squeeze bulb)
Pay attention to the salt in your food and take your medicines as prescribed. Tell you doctor if you stop taking your blood pressue medicine
Move a little more
-
Take a flight or two of stairs instead of the elevator if your condition allows
-
Park further back. Don’t choose the closest parking spot at the grocery store or mall
-
2.5 hours of intentional movement per week. 30 minutes per day 5 days per week (that could be three 10 minute walks a day at a pace faster than strolling
Sleep and stress reduction. Moving more (see above) will help with both of these
Stop smoking
ADDITIONAL READING & RESOURCES
VIDEO
VIDEO
