Disease: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Overview
What do blood pressure numbers indicate? Blood pressure is often written as two numbers. The top (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is beating. The bottom (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. High blood pressure for adults is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher, while normal blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure less than 120 and a diastolic blood pressure less than 80.
- Information obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Take the Hypertension Tutorial.
Prevention
There are some steps you can take to help prevent High Blood Pressure:
- Do not consume too much salt.
- Eat a diet low in saturated fat.
- Control alcohol intake.
- Information obtained from the American Heart Association .
Symptoms
Have your blood pressure check regularly, since there are almost no symptoms or signs of high blood pressure.
Management/Treatment Options
The American Heart Association recommends some ways to manage your high blood pressure:
- Know your blood Pressure.
- Know what your weight should be.
- Take your medicine prescribed by your doctor.
- Keep appointments with your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's advice.
- Information obtained from the American Heart Association .
Quick Facts
Here are some quick facts about Hypertension:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) killed 49,707 Americans in 2002.
- High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.
- High blood pressure is easily detectable and usually controllable with lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical activity or reducing dietary salt intake, with or without medications.