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What exactly is high blood pressure? Imagine that your blood vessels are garden hoses that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. If your blood is moving through your vessels at higher pressures than normal, this is considered to be high blood pressure, or “hypertension.”
Why should I care? The increased pressure in the blood vessels damages the blood vessels themselves and the heart muscle itself. The result of this damage can lead to strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure and blindness.
Will I feel it if my blood pressure is high? No! Most people with high blood pressure feel perfectly fine — until it is too late. That is why high blood pressure is often called “the silent killer.” That is also why it is so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Some people with high blood pressure will notice headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, pounding of the heart and fatigue; but these symptoms are rare.
How often should I have my blood pressure checked? If you have normal blood pressure, you should have your blood pressure checked every year. If your blood pressure is “borderline” or high, you should have your blood pressure checked in a doctor’s office at least every six months, more frequently if your blood pressure continues to be elevated.
What do the numbers mean exactly? A blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers, usually separated by a slash if written. The “top” number is called the systolic blood pressure, and this represents the pressure in the heart when it is maximally contracted. The “bottom” number is called the diastolic blood pressure and this represents the pressure in the heart when it is fully relaxed.
What is normal? A normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. If your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 140/90, this is considered to be early high blood pressure or “prehypertension.” If your blood pressure is greater than 140/90, you have high blood pressure.
What should I do if my blood pressure is high? See your primary care doctor right away!
Dr. Nicky Theiss is a board certified family medicine doctor. She sees patients at Carbon Valley Medical Center. She joined Carbon Valley Medical Center in July 2008 and can be reached at 303.833.8880.
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