Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure?

Your blood pressure is the force of your blood as it moves through your blood vessels. Your blood pressure is measured in two numbers — your systolic and diastolic pressure — in units of millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Systolic pressure is the pressure produced by your blood when your heart beats and is the top number. Diastolic pressure, the bottom number, is when your heart is at rest between beats.

What is considered high blood pressure?

Less than 120/80 mm Hg is a healthy blood pressure measurement. Your blood pressure is elevated if your systolic pressure is between 120-129 and your diastolic pressure is less than 80. A blood pressure of 130/80 or higher that stays high over time is considered stage 1 hypertension, and 140/90 or higher is stage 2. Your risk of a catastrophic cardiac event increases as your blood pressure rises.

High blood pressure doesn’t typically cause any noticeable symptoms, especially when the condition is in its early (and more easily treated) stages. Having routine blood pressure screenings is critical to protecting your health and getting treatment before the condition puts your health at risk.

What causes high blood pressure?

Several factors contribute to high blood pressure. Some of the most common contributing factors include:

• A family history of high blood pressure
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• A high-fat, high-salt diet
• Smoking
• Overconsumption of alcohol
• Stress

High blood pressure can also develop as a secondary condition if you have another health condition, such as sleep apnea, thyroid problems, or kidney disease.

How is high blood pressure treated?

If you have consistently elevated blood pressure, the team at IAM Healthy offers customized treatment plans to reduce your blood pressure and restore your health.

Many of the contributing factors for high blood pressure are under your control. Your provider offers guidance and support to help you make healthy lifestyle changes. For example, they can help you with smoking cessation programs and weight loss support. If you’re overweight, losing just 5-10% of your body weight can reduce your risk of high blood pressure and several other health conditions.

However, if lifestyle changes don’t reduce your blood pressure enough, your provider can prescribe medication such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.

IAM Healthy is committed to helping you lead a healthy, active life. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure or haven’t had a screening in two years, call the office or schedule a consultation online today.