blood pressure
It's not all bad news, though: High blood pressure is largely preventable and definitely treatable. And it all starts with the basics.Arm yourself with the knowledge you need on the causes, risks, prevention and treatment of this common foe so you can keep or bring your numbers into a healthy range (that's below 120/80, for the record).
So, What Is Blood Pressure?Your doctor takes your blood pressure at each visit because it's a key indicator of your health. But beyond a number on your medical chart, how much do you really know about blood pressure at the basic level?
In layman's terms, your BP is a measure of how hard your blood is pressing on the walls of your arteries as it courses through your body. The top (systolic) number gauges the pressure when your heart is beating, while the bottom (diastolic) number represents the pressure when your heart is resting between pumps.
A little bit of pressure is good, to help the blood get where it needs to go (read: to all your vital organs). But as the saying goes, too much of a good thing isn't, well, a good thing.
So, What Is Blood Pressure?
Your doctor takes your blood pressure at each visit because it's a key indicator of your health. But beyond a number on your medical chart, how much do you really know about blood pressure at the basic level?
In layman's terms, your BP is a measure of how hard your blood is pressing on the walls of your arteries as it courses through your body. The top (systolic) number gauges the pressure when your heart is beating, while the bottom (diastolic) number represents the pressure when your heart is resting between pumps.
A little bit of pressure is good, to help the blood get where it needs to go (read: to all your vital organs). But as the saying goes, too much of a good thing isn't, well, a good thing.
Health Risks of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure means your top number is 130 or higher or your bottom number is 80 or higher. For most people, hypertension is caused by aging or lifestyle factors tied to heart health (think: diet and exercise). For others, it could be the result of another health condition, such as sleep apnea or thyroid issues, or even certain medications.
Whatever the cause, high blood pressure doesn't usually have any symptoms, which isn't a good thing. Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because it can lead to heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease, among other conditions, with little to no warning.
High blood pressure means your top number is 130 or higher or your bottom number is 80 or higher. For most people, hypertension is caused by aging or lifestyle factors tied to heart health (think: diet and exercise). For others, it could be the result of another health condition, such as sleep apnea or thyroid issues, or even certain medications.
Whatever the cause, high blood pressure doesn't usually have any symptoms, which isn't a good thing. Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because it can lead to heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease, among other conditions, with little to no warning.
Comments
Post a Comment