BY KELLY EVANS, DO Grace Health’ s Chief Medical Officer |
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, makes it more difficult for your heart to pump blood. It affects millions of Americans and is one of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, and disability worldwide. The good news? It’ s one of the most preventable health issues we face. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury( mmHg) and usually falls into one of four groups: normal, elevated, stage 1 hypertension, or stage 2 hypertension. A healthy,“ normal” reading is
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anything under 120 / 80 mm / Hg.
New guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association( AHA) now define high blood pressure as 130 / 80 or higher, or if you’ re already on medication to bring it down. Readings between 120 – 129 on the top number with the bottom number under 80 are considered“ elevated,” sometimes called borderline. And here’ s an important detail: if your top and bottom numbers land in different categories, doctors go with the higher one.
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WHY IT MATTERS
High blood pressure doesn’ t usually cause symptoms you can feel, but it quietly damages your blood vessels and heart over time. That’ s why it’ s sometimes called the“ silent killer.” For those who experience symptoms, those might include headaches, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds.
The good news is that lifestyle changes— like eating better, moving more, and cutting back on smoking or drinking— can make a real difference.
EAT SMART: THE DASH DIET One of the most effective ways
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