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Do you have hypertension, usually referred to as high blood pressure? Almost half of American adults have high blood pressure. And if you’re over the age of 65, the American Heart Association says you’re one of a whopping 75% of seniors diagnosed with hypertension.1
But unfortunately, even those who have been diagnosed with hypertension might not be getting proper treatment for it. The CDC says that only about a quarter of those who have high blood pressure have it under control.2
Since this is a problem that affects the vast majority of seniors, it’s vitally important to know exactly what high blood pressure is, when to be concerned, and how to properly treat it.
Understanding Healthy Blood Pressure
Everyone has high blood pressure at some point in their lives. This often occurs during or after a stressful situation, when your fight-or-flight response is activated. You might suffer high blood pressure after an injury or during a serious illness.
This is a normal physical response and your blood pressure goes back to normal when the situation has resolved. Most of us will never notice this rise in blood pressure at all.
Problems begin to arise when your blood pressure goes up and stays up.
But what exactly is high blood pressure? And at what point should the numbers begin to worry you?
The Understanding America Study conducted by the University of Southern California set out to learn how well many Americans understood blood pressure and other health conditions.3 What they found was concerning. About 64% of the study participants believed they understood their blood pressure numbers and knew what a healthy blood pressure reading was. But only about 39% were actually correct about what a healthy blood pressure is. This becomes a problem when someone sees a blood pressure number they think is normal when it actually is high, so they don’t see any need to seek out treatment for hypertension.
You might think that your doctor would catch the problem, but they might not. Though the nurse will record your blood pressure as part of your basic vital signs, often your blood pressure might be a bit higher due to “white coat syndrome” – the natural anxiety that many of us feel when we visit the doctor can lead to a slightly higher blood pressure reading. It’s only when blood pressure readings are consistently higher that your doctor might take notice.
But even then, many of your doctor’s appointments might occur because you are feeling sick. If that’s the case, it’s expected that your blood pressure will be a bit high. Therefore, it won’t get much notice unless it’s a high enough reading to warrant serious attention.
What is a Healthy Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers. Here’s what they mean:
· Systolic blood pressure is the first number, or the “top” number. It measures the pressure of the blood flowing through the arteries as your heart beats.
· Diastolic blood pressure is the second number, or the “bottom” number. It measures the pressure in your arteries during that moment between heartbeats.
A normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.
For instance, if you have a blood pressure of 119/75, that’s absolutely perfect. There’s a little bit of leeway in your blood pressure readings; if you were at 122/80, for instance, that would be no cause for concern even though one of the numbers is a little high.
Stage 1 hypertension is anything at 130/80 or above. At this point, your doctor might make note of the blood pressure reading if it is consistently high and ask you to start taking steps to protect your heart. This might be as simple as small changes in diet and exercise.
Stage 2 hypertension is anything at 140/90 or above. This is the point where blood pressure issues have become more serious. You might need medication to bring your blood pressure down to a healthier level.
If your blood pressure is too high at any point, it’s time to consider an emergency button alarm. Since high blood pressure can lead to many health problems, including a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, it’s vitally important to be able to reach out for help at a moment’s notice.
How Much Do the Numbers Matter?
The differences between Stage 1 and Stage 2 hypertension might not seem like much of a jump in numbers, but every bit matters. According to the journal Hypertension, every increase of 20 points in systolic pressure (the top number) and 10 points in diastolic pressure (the bottom number) doubles a person’s chances of having a heart attack or stroke.4
That means that if your blood pressure used to be around an ideal 120/80 but now it’s running 140/90, your risk of stroke or heart attack has doubled. It doubles again if you reach 160/100.
Any reading of 180/110 is considered a “hypertensive crisis.” This level of blood pressure means something is very wrong and your odds of having a stroke or heart attack increase enough to be of great concern.
If you ever get a reading this high when you are taking your blood pressure at home, consider it a medical emergency. If you have a medical alert pendant at your fingertips, now is the time to press the button and explain the situation to the helpful professionals who answer the call. They will assist you in getting the help you need.
You might see a very high number and think that perhaps it’s wrong, because you feel absolutely fine. But that’s why high blood pressure is known as a silent killer – you can rarely feel any changes in your body when your blood pressure is high. Because there are no symptoms, you could have critically high blood pressure and not know that you have a problem.
Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
You will always have a blood pressure check when you visit the doctor – this is part of the normal vital signs that they will note in your chart at every visit. This allows them to look for patterns over time. If your blood pressure is higher than it should be, it’s time to take action. Here are some ways to lower your blood pressure naturally:
· Begin by being aware of what your blood pressure is from day-to-day. Invest in a blood pressure cuff to use at home. These cuffs are easy to use and even a really good one is quite affordable. You can find them at any pharmacy or department store. Take your blood pressure at the same time every day and record the numbers.
· Being more physically active can quickly lower your blood pressure. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week to stay healthy. That translates into five 30-minute exercise sessions a week, but you can also break that down into smaller intervals to fit them into a busy schedule. Small things add up, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking at the back of a parking lot to get a bit of walking in.
· If you are overweight, losing even a few pounds can make a big difference in your blood pressure readings. Talk to your doctor about setting weight loss goals that improve your overall health.
· Take a good look at your diet. Any diet that is good for your heart is also good for blood pressure. Something like the Mediterranean diet works wonders for improving your health – this includes a plate heavy with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and legumes, and lean meats.
· Speaking of diet, there are some things to avoid. Foods high in saturated fats or foods that are ultra-processed aren’t doing you any favors. Salt is also a culprit. While official dietary guidelines call for less than one teaspoon of salt per day, most Americans consume twice that. Cutting back on salt everywhere you can is a good idea for better health.
· Alcohol can increase your blood pressure. If you do drink alcohol, do so in moderation and keep the dietary guidelines in mind: for women, that’s one drink per day and for men, two drinks. Keep in mind that one drink is 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounce of 80-proof spirits.
· Stress can make high blood pressure even worse. Avoiding stressful situations and learning better coping skills can help you stay calm in serious situations and thus keep your blood pressure low. Talk to your doctor about your stress levels. Counseling might also be a very good idea, especially if the stress you feel is affecting other parts of your life.
· The dangers of smoking have been heavily documented for decades. The dangers of vaping are now coming to the forefront as well. Both contribute to blood vessel damage, which in turn leads to high blood pressure and other health problems. When you quit smoking, your body begins repairing itself within a matter of hours. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.
Blood Pressure Medication Can Help
Blood pressure medications are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States today. Most doctors recommend medication when you reach Stage 2 hypertension, though some people will need medication sooner than that. Sometimes you will need more than one medication to bring the numbers down to a safe level.
When you are prescribed blood pressure medications, take them exactly as directed. This means on time, every time, and in the proper dose. A medication reminder, organizer, and dispenser can help you make sure to never miss a dose.
In addition to taking your medications, it’s a good idea to have an emergency alert system for elderly adults on hand at all times. If you ever suffer a medical event or any other emergency, you can reach out for help right away. Alert1 never charges for button pushes, so if you experience any situation that concerns you, reach out. Getting help quickly is a key to a much better medical outcome.
