Key Facts About Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a serious medical condition. It’s often called the “silent killer,” since many people are unaware that they have it. There are often no noticeable symptoms, although hypertension is easily detected in routine physical examinations.

The following are some of the key facts to know about hypertension:

Hypertension is a chronic disease that requires treatment.
Nearly half of the adult population has hypertension, which is defined as having a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 (130/80).
High blood pressure damages the walls of the arteries, making them susceptible to tiny tears.
High blood pressure puts people at risk for developing heart disease and stroke.
In addition to heart disease and stroke, hypertension may contribute to kidney disease, vision loss, sexual disfunction, and vascular dementia.
Risk factors for hypertension include a family history of the condition, age, a sedentary lifestyle, diet high in sodium and low in potassium, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and being African American.

How to Decrease Your Risk

There are a number of things that people can do to decrease their risk of developing hypertension. Making key lifestyle changes can help immeasurably.

Lose weight. Losing even a few pounds can make a difference.
Eat a healthy diet and lower salt intake (sodium). Many processed foods are high in sodium. Develop the habit of reading food labels and choose low-sodium or reduced-sodium options when available. Reduce the amount of salt used when cooking. Use other herbs and spices to add flavor. A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish or lean meats, and low-fat dairy products can help lower blood pressure. The Mediterranean Diet is a good choice to follow.
Exercise regularly. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise daily can lower blood pressure levels. Your healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate exercise program.
Limit alcohol use to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Alcohol use can also make blood pressure medication less effective.
Stop smoking. This will lower your risk for hypertension and a number of other serious medical conditions.
Get good quality sleep. Adults need at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble sleeping.
Control stress. Make time to relax. Avoid situations that may be stress triggers.
Get regular checkups with your doctor. A doctor can prescribe medications to control blood pressure if lifestyle changes haven’t worked.