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    High Blood Pressure

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    Silverius Seantoni Sabella
    The document discusses high blood pressure, including what it is, risk factors, potential consequences of untreated high blood pressure, lifestyle changes and treatments that can help manage it. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms so it is important to have it checked regularly by a doctor.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    High Blood Pressure

    Uploaded by

    Silverius Seantoni Sabella
    28 views2 pages
    The document discusses high blood pressure, including what it is, risk factors, potential consequences of untreated high blood pressure, lifestyle changes and treatments that can help manage it. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms so it is important to have it checked regularly by a doctor.

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    The document discusses high blood pressure, including what it is, risk factors, potential consequences of untreated high blood pressure, lifestyle changes and treatments that can help manage it. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms so it is important to have it checked regularly by a doctor.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    28 views2 pages

    High Blood Pressure

    Uploaded by

    Silverius Seantoni Sabella
    The document discusses high blood pressure, including what it is, risk factors, potential consequences of untreated high blood pressure, lifestyle changes and treatments that can help manage it. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms so it is important to have it checked regularly by a doctor.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    ANSWERS

    by heart

    Lifestyle + Risk Reduction


    High Blood Pressure

    What Is High
    Blood Pressure?
    Blood pressure is the force of blood
    pushing against blood vessel walls.
    High blood pressure (HBP) means the
    pressure in your arteries is higher than it
    should be. Another name for high blood
    pressure is hypertension (hi-per-TEN-shun).

    Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as


    112/78 mm Hg. The top, systolic, number is the pressure
    when the heart beats. The bottom, diastolic, number is
    the pressure when the heart rests between beats. Normal
    blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. If youre
    an adult and your systolic pressure is 120 to 139, or
    your diastolic pressure is 80 to 89 (or both), you have
    prehypertension. High blood pressure is a pressure of
    140 systolic or higher and/or 90 diastolic or higher that
    stays high over time.
    No one knows exactly what causes most cases of high
    blood pressure. It cant be cured, but it can be managed.
    High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms.
    Thats why it is so dangerous.
    About 76.4 million Americans over age 20, 1 in 3 adults,
    have it, and many dont even know they have it. Not
    treating high blood pressure is dangerous. High blood
    pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. You
    can live a healthier life if you treat and manage it!

    Who is at higher risk?


    People with close blood relatives who have HBP
    African Americans
    People over age 35
    Overweight people
    People who arent physically active
    People who consume too much salt
    People who drink too much alcohol
    People with diabetes, gout or kidney disease
    Pregnant women
    Women who take birth control pills, who are
    overweight, had HBP during pregnancy, have a family
    history of HBP or have mild kidney disease
    How can I tell I have it?
    You usually cant tell! Many people have it and dont
    know it. The only way to know if your blood pressure is
    high is to get it checked regularly by your doctor.

    Make sure you get your blood pressure checked regularly


    and treat it the way your doctor advises.
    (continued)

    ANSWERS

    by heart

    Lifestyle + Risk Reduction

    What Is High Blood Pressure?

    High Blood Pressure

    What can untreated high blood


    pressure lead to?
    Stroke
    Heart attack, angina or both
    Heart failure
    Kidney failure
    Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
    What can I do about it?
    Lose weight if youre overweight.
    Eat healthy meals low in saturated fat, trans fat,
    cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars.
    Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day for
    women or two drinks a day for men.
    Be more physically active. Aim for at least 150 minutes
    (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity, or 75
    minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) of vigorous-intensity,
    aerobic exercise each week.
    Take medicine the way your doctor tells you.
    Know what your blood pressure should be and work to
    keep it at that level.

    HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?


    Talk to your doctor, nurse or other
    healthcare professionals. If you have
    heart disease or have had a stroke,
    members of your family also may be at
    higher risk. Its very important for them
    to make changes now to lower their risk.
    Call 1-800-AHA-USA1
    (1-800-242-8721), or visit heart.org
    to learn more about heart disease.
    For information on stroke, call
    1-888-4-STROKE (1-888-478-7653)
    or visit us at StrokeAssociation.org.

    How can medicine help?


    Some medicines, such as vasodilators, help relax and
    open up your blood vessels so blood can flow through
    better. A diuretic can help keep your body from holding
    too much water and salt. Other medicines help your heart
    beat more slowly and with less force.

    Do you have
    questions for the
    doctor or nurse?

    My Questions:

    Take a few minutes to


    write your questions for
    the next time you see
    your healthcare provider.
    For example:

    Will I always have to


    take medicine?
    What should my blood
    pressure be?

    We have many other fact sheets to help you make healthier choices to reduce your risk,
    manage disease or care for a loved one. Visit heart.org/answersbyheart to learn more.
    Knowledge is power, so Learn and Live!
    2012, American Heart Association

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