High Blood Pressure and Hypertension: New Significant Information

By Ali Rahimian, MD

Rahimian & Associates, PC

. https://rahimianprimarycare.com/

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High Blood Pressure and Hypertension: New Significant Information

Hypertension is often called the silent killer since it does not have many symptoms thus the best way to find out if you have high blood pressure or hypertension is to measure it at least once a year.

You should be aware of new information about high blood pressure (HBP). The first step is to be aware, and the next step is to do something about it.

The definition of hypertension based on the American College of Cardiology guidelines is:

The normal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120 (systolic) and less than 80 (diastolic). Any numbers above these are elevated.

The diagnosis of hypertension has two categories:

• Stage 1 – Systolic blood pressure of 130-139, or diastolic of 80-89

• Stage 2 – Systolic blood pressure of more than 140 or diastolic of more than 90.

Who should receive medication to prevent heart disease or stroke and at what level of high blood pressure depends on your other risk factors, which can be assessed by your doctor.

Generally speaking, patients who have more risk factors or already had a stroke or heart attack should be started earlier.

The risk factors are also divided in two categories:

• Modifiable (can be changed)

• Fixed (cannot be changed) such as gender, age and family history

Modifiable Risk Factors

Modifiable risk factors are current cigarette smoking or second hand smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity/low fitness, unhealthy diet and psycho-social stress.

Unhealthy diet is the number one risk factor for early disease and early death in the United States. Drugs and alcohol are considered to be the secondary cause of hypertension. The current goal of therapy is to bring blood pressure below 130/80.

One exception to this number is for people who have already had a stroke and to prevent the next stroke we like to keep the blood pressure below 140/90.

If your blood pressure is high, you should talk to your doctor and follow their advice. Don’t wait. The time to get it under control is now.