Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is an unnoticeable ailment that impacts one-third of adults in the United States. This covert condition, often unfelt and invisible, might be escalating your chances of encountering heart disease and stroke unbeknownst to you.
How to Maintain Hypertension and Heart Health
Managing your hypertension is a crucial step towards safeguarding your heart's wellbeing. Although many individuals understand the link between their blood pressure and heart health, there are still some surprising details that might not be known to you.
Interestingly, hypertension is not solely a condition that impacts the elderly.
While age definitely poses a risk, with the likelihood of hypertension increasing as you age, it can also appear at a relatively young age. Around one in four men and one in five women aged 35 to 44 experience hypertension. The covert nature of hypertension, due to its symptom-less character, emphasizes the need for regular monitoring of blood pressure, even when feeling absolutely fine.
Variables in Hypertension
Eating Habits
The food you consume plays a significant role in affecting your blood pressure. High sodium intake can elevate your blood pressure, hence, reducing salt intake can actively manage hypertension. Foods that have a high potassium content aid in lowering your blood pressure by relaxing your artery walls.
Gender
Hypertension presents distinctive challenges for women with certain forms of contraception increasing their susceptibility. A woman having a history of preeclampsia also increases her likelihood of encountering hypertension in the future. Additionally, elevated blood pressure can lead to complications in following pregnancies.
Reading Blood Pressure
The measurement of your blood pressure isn't a fixed value, but fluctuates across different readings due to various influences. Therefore, it's essential to base your evaluation on multiple readings instead of just one to precisely gauge if your blood pressure is above, below, or within the standard range.
An optimal blood pressure reading should be 120/80. If your readings persistently exceed this, it may be advisable to seek advice from your primary health care provider. For further details or to arrange an appointment with a hypertension specialist, please feel free to contact us.
Commentaires