Page 11 - Elevate Winter 2021

KNOWLEDGE

MAGIC NUMBERS
Knowing your IF YOU ARE young and feel healthy, you might not think your blood pressure is anything you need to
blood pressure worry about. But high blood pressure can happen to anyone. And because high blood pressure usually
can help you stay doesn’t have symptoms, many people don’t know they have it.
healthy and live
“A common misconception is that high blood pressure only happens to people who are older or who
longer. are obese,” says Nzinga L. Robertson, MD, neurohospitalist at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical
Center. “But genetic, dietary and lifestyle factors can increase anyone’s risk of developing high blood
pressure at any age.”

UNDERSTANDING BLOOD PRESSURE WHAT RAISES YOUR RISK?

Your blood pressure is measured Many lifestyle factors can contribute to
using two numbers represented
as a fraction. The top number is high blood pressure. These include:
your systolic blood pressure, or » A diet high in fat and sodium
the pressure your blood creates » Alcohol
in your arteries when your heart » High stress
beats. The bottom number is your » Lack of physical activity
diastolic blood pressure, or the » Smoking
pressure in your arteries between
heartbeats. Additional factors can also put you at

Blood pressure ranges are divided higher risk: health conditions such as obesity,
into five categories, according to the
American Heart Association: diabetes and high cholesterol; a family
» Normal: Less than 120/80
» Elevated: 120–129 over less than 80 history of high blood pressure; and certain
» Stage 1 hypertension: 130–139
medications.
over 80–89
» Stage 2 hypertension: 140/90 LOWERING YOUR NUMBERS hypertension often requires prescribed
medications in addition to lifestyle
or higher High blood pressure can lead to serious changes and home monitoring using a
» Hypertensive crisis: A systolic complications, increasing your risk blood pressure cuff.
of heart disease, stroke and kidney
pressure of 180 or higher and/or problems. “Routinely checking blood pressure
a diastolic pressure of 120 at home is a great way for patients
or higher “High blood pressure is a leading to become actively involved in
There are no set numbers to root cause for death and disability,” their health,” Dr. Roberston says. “I
indicate blood pressure that is Dr. Roberston says. “However, if caught recommend that patients check their
too low. If your blood pressure and managed early, these risks can be blood pressure at least twice a day or as
measures a bit low but you significantly reduced in most patients.” instructed by their physician and keep a
feel fine, it’s usually nothing daily diary of readings.”
to be concerned about. But if For patients with elevated or stage 1
you experience symptoms such hypertension, doctors often begin by Even if you don’t have risk factors, be
as dizziness, lightheadedness, recommending lifestyle changes, such sure to get your blood pressure checked
nausea, fatigue, unusual thirst or as reducing stress, getting regular at least once per year.
inability to concentrate, reach out exercise, not smoking and eating a
to your healthcare provider. healthy, low-sodium diet. Stage 2

TO FIND A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER, VISIT WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG.

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