Could You Have High Blood Pressure and Not Know It?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is an indication of compromised cardiovascular health. Blood pressure measures the force of blood coming out of the heart against the walls of the arteries that transport it to the rest of the body. If the pressure is too high, it can lead to problems like a heart attack or stroke.

At Absolute Healthcare LLC,  Dr. Gaurav Malhotra, Dr. Javas Gupta, and our staff believe the best way to prevent high blood pressure is to be proactive and make preventive health care part of your long-term health plan. Here’s how.

How do you measure blood pressure?

Doctors measure blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). They take the reading using an inflatable cuff, usually on the upper arm, that’s connected to a monitor. The machine reports the reading as two numbers, one above the other.

The top number is called the systolic reading, and it measures the pressure of blood against the artery wall when the heart actively pumps blood. The lower number is called the diastolic reading, and it measures the pressure when the heart is at rest.

Both the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association categorize blood pressure into four general groups:

1. Normal blood pressure: lower than 120/80 mm Hg
2. Elevated blood pressure: systolic ranges from 120 to 129 mm Hg and diastolic is below 80 mm Hg
3. Stage 1 hypertension: systolic ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic is between 80 and 89 mm Hg
4. Stage 2 hypertension: systolic is 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic is 90 mm Hg or higher

If your blood pressure measures higher than 180/120 mm Hg, it’s considered a hypertensive crisis. Seek emergency medical assistance.

What causes high blood pressure, and what are some complications from it?

While some medical conditions (e.g., adrenal gland tumors, thyroid problems, and obstructive sleep apnea) and even drugs (e.g., cough and cold medicines, birth control pills, and cocaine) can lead to hypertension, most of the time the condition builds up slowly over the years.

Often, it’s caused by atherosclerosis, colloquially known as “hardening of the arteries.”

Over time, a sticky plaque made of fats, cholesterol, protein, cell debris, and calcium builds up on the artery walls, hardening and narrowing the conduit. That means the heart has to work harder to push the same amount of blood through your body, and that increases the pressure even more.

If left untreated, the heart wall may thicken until the organ can’t pump enough blood to the body, which becomes starved for nutrients, and this leads to heart failure.

High blood pressure can also lead to an aneurysm, where blood vessels weaken and bulge out. If they rupture, it can be life-threatening.

In addition, plaque that breaks off from the wall can lodge in the heart or the brain, causing a heart attack or stroke, respectively.

Can I have high blood pressure and not know it?

Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it produces no observable symptoms until you hit a crisis. The only way you know you have high blood pressure is if you have the doctor measure it with a cuff, or you use an at-home or in-pharmacy version of the device. That’s why it’s so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Preventing and treating high blood pressure

Changing your lifestyle can help prevent hypertension or manage it if you’ve already developed it. Recommendations include:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet: fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains
• Consuming less salt
• Getting regular physical exercise
• Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight
• Limiting alcohol
• Eliminating tobacco
• Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep daily

Sometimes, lifestyle changes aren't enough. In that case, your doctor may prescribe medication. Some lower cholesterol levels, some eliminate water and sodium from your body, some relax blood vessels, and some reduce the heart’s workload. Your doctor takes your medical history, symptoms, and blood pressure numbers into account when prescribing.

If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently, it’s time to come into Absolute Healthcare LLC for a measurement and a once-over to ensure your heart is healthy. Contact us   by phone or on our website. We have offices in Spring Hill, Tampa, and Port Richey, Florida.