What You Should Know About High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects more than 65 million Americans over the age of six years of age. It is when a patient's blood pressure is higher than 140/90. It doesn't have any symptoms, but if detected can be readily treated and controlled. High blood pressure has been shown to increase your likelihood of heart attack and stroke. Periodic physicals will generally catch hypertension, as your doctor takes your blood pressure and monitors it from visit to visit. This is another reason why scheduled doctor visits with a family physician is a good idea.

Of the 65 million Americans with high blood pressure, 30% don't know they are affected, 11% aren't on any type of therapy for it, and 25% are on therapy that doesn't meet their needs. Up to 95% of the high blood pressure cases do not have a discernable cause to be found for it. Some of the risk factors for high blood pressure include stress, heredity, being over 35, too much salt in the diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and alcohol consumption.

Some things you can do to keep your chances for hypertension under control is simply keep your weight under control and live a healthy lifestyle. Don't smoke or drink more than one drink a day if you are a female or two if you are a man, exercise regularly, and try to keep your stress in check. Remember to breathe. Eat more fruits and vegetables and limit your salt intake. Some factors you won't be able to control. African Americans are at a higher risk than other ethnicities. Your heredity is a factor and the more people in your family that has had high blood pressure will raise your risk of getting it. Your age is a concern. Men typically will get hypertension between the ages of 35 and 55, women tend to get high blood pressure around the time of menopause. Again, frequent trips to the doctor for a yearly physical can help you see your risk factors, and if diagnosed, start treatment options.