Blood Pressure Information

What is High Blood Pressure and Pre-hypertension?

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Blood pressure rises and falls during the day. But when blood pressure stays elevated over time, it is called high blood pressure. You will often here it termed as hypertension which is the medical term.

High blood pressure is dangerous and even life-threatening. It essentially forces your heart to work too hard and contributes to the hardening of the arteries (called atherosclerosis). It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of death among Americans. Heart disease is also the number one cause of death for women. High blood pressure also can result in other ailments, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness. Close to two-thirds of people over age 65 have high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher).

Pre-hypertension is when your blood pressure is between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg. You don’t have high blood pressure at the time but are likely to develop it in the future, unless you take action. Start monitoring your blood pressure regularly with the Wellex BP103 monitor and take preventative measures by leading a healthier lifestyle.

How Do You Know If You Have High Blood Pressure?

Often times, high blood pressure has no signs or symptoms. The best way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to test for it. This can be done with the Wellex BP103 and it can be used regularly to help you monitor your blood pressure to ensure it stays within normal levels.

Adverse Health Effects of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can lead to a number of illnesses and health problems.

• Brain - High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for a stroke. Very high pressure can cause a break in a weakened blood vessel, which leads to bleeding in the brain and then a stroke. If a blood clot blocks one of the narrowed arteries, it can also cause a stroke.

• Eyes - High blood pressure can eventually cause blood vessels in the eye to burst or bleed. This can cause your vision to become blurry / impaired and possibly result in blindness.

• Arteries - As people get older, arteries throughout the body "harden," especially those in the heart, brain, and kidneys. High blood pressure is associated with this hardening of the arteries. When the arteries get harder, the heart and kidneys must work harder.

• Kidneys - The kidneys serve as filters to rid the body of wastes. Over time, high blood pressure can narrow and thicken the blood vessels of the kidneys causing them to filter less fluid, and waste builds up in the blood. This can eventually lead to kidney failure and dialysis or a transplant may be needed.

• Heart - High blood pressure is a major risk factor for a heart attack. The arteries bring oxygen-carrying blood to the heart muscle. When their ability to carry this blood becomes inhibited by high blood pressure, the heart cannot get enough oxygen and chest pain (called "angina") can occur. If the flow of blood is blocked altogether, a heart attack results.  High blood pressure is also the number one risk factor for congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF is a very serious condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There are many causes and it includes the narrowing of arteries, an increased volume of blood, or the heart beating faster (or more forcefully) than it should. Any of these things will lead to increased pressure against the arterial walls and hence, high blood pressure. It may also be caused by another medical problem. Often times, the exact cause is not known. High blood pressure can’t be cured but in most cases it can be prevented and controlled by regular monitoring your blood pressure, making appropriate lifestyle choices, and taking medication if necessary.

Who’s At Risk for High Blood Pressure:

Anyone - high blood pressure is extremely common. About 65 million American adults, nearly 1 in 3, are afflicted with high blood pressure. It is very common in African Americans, who may get it earlier in life and more often than whites. Many people tend to develop high blood pressure as they get older, but this is not a part of healthy aging. Middle-aged adults have a 90% chance of developing high blood pressure during their lifetime. Others at risk for developing high blood pressure are overweight individuals, those with a family history of high blood pressure, and those with pre-hypertension (120–139/80–89 mmHg).

Prevention and Control

Adopting and living a healthy lifestyle will help prevent the onset of high blood pressure. Steps that can be taken include maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough exercise; don’t smoke cigarettes / cigars and eat a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy foods, decreasing salt / sodium intake, and drink alcohol in moderation, if at all).

If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in preventing and / or controlling your high blood pressure, it may be necessary to add blood pressure medications. See a doctor for further information.

Tips for Taking Your Blood Pressure to Ensure the Best Accuracy:

1. Don't drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before having your blood pressure measured.

2. Before the test, sit for five minutes with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground.

3. Rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart.

4. Don’t take the reading over clothes.

5.  Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change your blood pressure reading.

6. Take two readings, taken at least two minutes apart, and average the results.

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