High Blood Pressure

What It Is: Blood pressure is a measure (in millimeters of mercury, mmHg) of how hard blood in the body pushes against the walls of the arteries as it travels through them. Systolic is the pressure when the heart beats, and is always stated first. Diastolic is the pressure when the heart is at rest, and is stated second. For example, 120/80 is stated as "120 over 80" and refers to 120 mmHg of pressure when the heart is beating and 80 mmHg of pressure when the heart is at rest.

Why It Is Important: High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because it often has no symptoms until it causes other health problems. By constantly straining the heart, high blood pressure can cause heart failure. High blood pressure can cause small tears in blood vessels that speed up atherosclerosis (the filling of blood vessels with fat). In turn, as blood vessels become blocked, blood flow to tissues is lessened. Damage then occurs to vessels of the brain, heart, kidneys, and retinas. 

What the Numbers Are:

If the systolic and diastolic numbers fall into different categories, the classification should be made based on the highest number.

Keeping Blood Pressure in Check: Many factors influence blood pressure, but these steps may help to keep your blood pressure at a desirable level:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Be physically active
• Eat healthfully by including many fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy foods in your diet
• Reduce salt and sodium in your diet through food choices and preparation methods

If You're Diagnosed with High Blood Pressure: Your doctor may prescribe medication. Take it as directed. Follow the steps recommended for keeping blood pressure in check:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Be physically active
• Eat healthfully by including many fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy foods in your diet
• Reduce salt and sodium in your diet through food choice and preparation methods
• Use the DASH diet; see: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/