  |
|
|
|
Learning what it takes to stay well is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining normal blood pressure is one aspect of keeping ourselves fit for living. Millions of Americans suffer from what is called the “silent killer” or high blood pressure (consistently over 140/90). Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, kidney failure and stroke. Knowing how to keep the blood pressure normal can not be neglected.
Who Gets High Blood Pressure? Although there is no agreement on why some people get high blood pressure, we do know something about those at risk. Family History: high blood pressure runs in families. Those with family members who have had heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure need to be vigilant. People over the age of 35: high blood pressure is especially common among middle-age women. If you are a woman and between the ages of 35 and 55, your chances are about one in four that you have elevated blood pressure. African Americans: Black Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure than White Americans. Overweight: being overweight or obese increases the risk of having high blood pressure. A woman who is African-American, overweight and diabetic has the greatest chance of suffering from high blood pressure. But even if you are not in any of the risk groups, you may still have pressure problems. Diseases of the kidneys, adrenals, thyroid and other glands can cause a rise in blood pressure, as well. How Do We Measure High Blood Pressure? The systolic, or top number, measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart beats. The diastolic, or lower number, measures the pressure in between beats. For some years now, doctors have diagnosed hypertension on the basis of the lower or diastolic number. Recent research has challenged this approach. According to Joseph L. Izzo Jr., MD, professor of medicine and pharmacology at the State University of New York at Buffalo, "systolic is a better indicator overall of risk and is also a better therapeutic target, giving us a better idea of how well we are... reducing the strain on blood vessels and the heart." This new approach is based on findings from the long-term Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). This study showed that systolic blood pressure correctly identified 91% of antihypertensive therapy while diastolic correctly identifies only 22%. Among people over the age of 60, systolic blood pressure was better able to classify blood pressure than diastolic pressure.
The copyright of the article Bolstering Your Blood Pressure in Healthy Aging is owned by . Permission to republish Bolstering Your Blood Pressure in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
