Your Health

Possible health consequences that can happen over time when high blood pressure is left untreated include:

• Damage to the heart and coronary arteries, including heart attack, heart disease, congestive heart failure, aortic dissection and atherosclerosis (fatty buildups in the arteries that cause them to harden)
• Stroke
• Kidney damage
• Vision loss
• Erectile dysfunction
• Memory loss
• Fluid in the lungs
• Angina

But remember, these are not symptoms of HBP. High blood pressure is a symptomless disease except in its most extreme cases known as hypertensive crisis. When BP readings rise to 180 or above for the systolic --- top --- number OR 110 or above for the diastolic --- bottom --- number, call for emergency medical treatment immediately.

Individuals whose blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mm Hg (140 systolic or above OR 90 diastolic or above) often become patients treated for serious cardiovascular problems

Your risk increases even more if you have high blood pressure along with other risk factors:

• Age
• Heredity (including race)
• Gender (male)
• Overweight or obesity
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Physical inactivity

Through risk reduction and treatment of HBP, you can lower your risk for many of these diseases.

There are eight main ways you can control your blood pressure.

They are:

• Eat a better diet, which may include reducing salt
• Enjoy regular physical activity
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Manage stress
• Avoid tobacco smoke
• Understand hot tub safety
• Comply with medication prescriptions
• If you drink, limit alcohol

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is critical for the prevention of HBP and an indispensable part of managing it. Think of these changes as a "lifestyle prescription" and make every effort to comply with them.

Whether you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or are concerned because you have some of the risk factors for the disease, understand this: while there is no cure, high blood pressure is manageable.

By adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, you can:

• Reduce high blood pressure
• Prevent or delay the development of HBP
• Enhance the effectiveness of blood pressure medications
• Lower your risk of heart attack, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease
   

Here's how to do your part:

• Be informed
  Of all people with high blood pressure, over 20 percent are unaware of their condition. This symptomless disease could leave them with substantial health consequences. Are you one of them? If you don't know, see a healthcare professional to be tested.

• Do your part to reach your treatment goals
  Consider these statistics regarding those with known HBP:
  
  • 69.1 percent are under current treatment
  • 30.9 percent are not currently under treatment, even though they know their blood pressure is high
  There is no healthy level of high blood pressure. Don't take life-or-death chances with this disease. Instead, take responsibility! Work with your healthcare professional to determine your treatment goals and map out your best action plan for HBP prevention and management.
  
  
• Change your life and reduce your risks
  Even if your blood pressure is normal (less than 120 mm Hg systolic AND less than 80 mm Hg diastolic) and your goal is prevention only, the lifestyle modifications provide a prescription for healthy living.
  
  If your resting blood pressure falls in the pre-hypertension range (systolic - top- number between 120 and 139 mm Hg OR diastolic - bottom - number between 80 and 89 mm Hg), your doctor will recommend lifestyle modifications.

  Lifestyle modifications are essential
  These changes may reduce your blood pressure without the use of prescription medications.

• Take medication if it is prescribed for you
  If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, your doctor will likely prescribe medication in addition to lifestyle modifications. Follow your healthcare professional's recommendations carefully, even if it means taking medication every day for the rest of your life. High blood pressure is a lifelong disease, and by partnering with your healthcare team, you can successfully reach your treatment goals and enjoy the benefits of better health. 

  Once your treatment program becomes routine, maintaining a lower blood pressure is easier. Remind yourself that by managing your blood pressure, you are lowering your risk of heart attack and blood vessel diseases, stroke and kidney disease. Death rates from these diseases have decreased significantly, thanks in part to earlier and better treatment of HBP.

  Managing blood pressure is a lifelong commitment; make a pledge to do so starting today for yourself and for those you love. Listen to your doctor, read the sound medical information on this site, and act on the information to live a heart-healthier life.
  
  For more information visit the American Heart Association website