May is High Blood Pressure Education Month. According to a 2023 report from the American Heart Association, nearly half of Americans ages 20 and above have high blood pressure.
If left untreated for an extended period, high blood pressure can lead to more serious health emergencies, including heart disease and strokes.
Luckily, various treatment options can help patients manage their blood pressure to fall within a healthy range. It is never too late to educate yourself on how you can do so!
What is High Blood Pressure?
High Blood Pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition characterized by elevated pressure in the arteries. It occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high.
A systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg is considered hypertension.
-CDC
What are the causes of High Blood Pressure?
High Blood Pressure is generally caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits including:
- High sodium intake
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- High alcohol consumption
- Obesity
Hypertension can also be caused by factors out of our control, including genetics, chronic illness, and aging.
What is the treatment for High Blood Pressure?
There are various medications utilized by healthcare professionals to treat high blood pressure including water pills (diuretics), which help remove sodium and water from the body and reduce blood pressure.
They may also treat patients using calcium channel blockers to prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of your heart and blood vessels. This allows the blood vessels to relax.
Patients can also manage their high blood pressure by making changes to their lifestyle including a healthier diet, consistent exercise, and decreasing their alcohol and sodium intake.
