Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, which is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the top two causes of death in the U.S.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often referred to as the “silent killer” because most people who have it don’t have symptoms. Fortunately, high blood pressure is preventable and treatable. A healthcare team can help you improve your blood pressure and take charge of your heart health.
Know your numbers
When was the last time you had your blood pressure taken? The first step is to establish a routine for monitoring it.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:
- The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
- The second number, diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
If the measurement reads 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, you would say, “120 over 80,” or write, “120/80 mmHg.” A normal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg.
Normal blood pressure may vary based on specific health conditions, such as whether you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease. For example, the goal blood pressure for patients with type 2 diabetes is less than or equal to 130/80.
Your healthcare provider will work closely with you to ensure your blood pressure stays within an acceptable range for your specific health conditions.
Your healthcare team = your health partner
The best way to get a baseline blood pressure reading check is to schedule an appointment with your primary healthcare provider.
“I recommend seeing your primary healthcare provider at least once a year for an annual checkup, including a blood pressure check,” says Carla Gibbs, M.D., with Sentara Family Medicine Physicians.
Your primary healthcare team is focused on monitoring your long-term health. They aim to get to know you by diagnosing and treating your illnesses and coordinating referrals with specialists. These providers may also include Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) such as nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs).
Your primary healthcare team will regularly monitor blood pressure, weight and blood sugar and alert you to potential concerns. This is especially important for patients with high blood pressure because changes in blood pressure often have no symptoms.
Sometimes, patients are embarrassed or overwhelmed when discussing their health, but Dr. Gibbs wants them to know that their healthcare team only wants to help.
“Our goal is better health, and we’re not going to judge,” says Dr. Gibbs.
High blood pressure puts you at risk
Your blood pressure usually rises and falls throughout the day. High blood pressure comes from an increase in the resistance of the arteries. Due to this resistance, your heart must work harder to get blood to your extremities and vital organs. Over time, this can have detrimental effects on your body and health.
Something as simple as blood pressure may seem like small potatoes. But let’s put blood pressure into perspective. High blood pressure can impact your health and your quality of life.
When you have high blood pressure:
- You are three times more likely to die from heart disease.
- You are at a higher risk of having a stroke. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke, but it is also one of the most preventable risk factors when treated.
- Your kidneys are at risk. When a person’s blood pressure is high, it can stretch the fragile kidney filtering system, causing the kidneys to be less efficient in filtering blood. Once this happens, it is known as chronic kidney disease.
- Your life expectancy may be shortened. Living with high blood pressure and the health complications associated with it may shorten life expectancy or drastically impact the quality of life.
- Your health won’t be the only thing impacted –medical costs for people with high blood pressure are up to $2,500 higher per year than costs for people without high blood pressure.
Steps to lower your heart risk
- Know your numbers: The best way to determine whether you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly — at least once a year. Your first check will be your baseline, which your healthcare provider will use to compare and measure all other blood pressure checks.
- Have an honest conversation with your healthcare provider: It’s not just about the numbers; your doctor will also examine your family history, lifestyle, food choices and any other risk factors or conditions affecting your health.
- Help ensure your care is coordinated: If you’re receiving care from other healthcare providers, such as specialists, make sure your primary healthcare providers receive regular updates from these providers. Thanks to electronic medical records, this usually happens seamlessly. However, it’s still good to check in with your primary care providers to note any new medication changes or treatment plans created by other healthcare providers.
You’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure: What’s next?
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, consider it a gift! It’s an opportunity to improve your health before you potentially experience a serious health emergency, such as a heart attack. Your primary healthcare provider will work with you to create a care plan for your high blood pressure and other conditions that can lead to high blood pressure.
Lifestyle changes your healthcare provider may recommend to lower your blood pressure:
- Eat a well-balanced diet that’s low in salt
- Limit alcohol
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Manage stress
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Take your medications as prescribed
In addition to the steps above and others that your healthcare provider may recommend, they may also prescribe an antihypertensive medication to help lower your blood pressure. You may also be asked to monitor your blood pressure at home more regularly.
Whether you’re prescribed a drug or not, continue seeing your healthcare provider.
“Managing blood pressure is a lifelong skill,” says Dr. Gibbs. “Your care plan may need adjustments from time to time, and you shouldn’t stop going to the doctor after that initial appointment.”
Getting started
Dr. Gibbs emphasizes diet and exercise as the first-line defense against high blood pressure.
“For some people, elevated blood pressure can be improved by following a heart-healthy diet,” says Dr. Gibbs. She recommends the D.A.S.H. (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet or Mediterranean diet.
Exercise can also help lower your blood pressure, and if needed, it can also help with weight loss. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week, such as brisk walking or bicycling. That’s about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
“Exercise doesn’t need to consist of a complicated routine or going somewhere special,” says Dr. Gibbs. “Get started walking in your neighborhood a few times a week.”
Take the next step
Now is the time to get your blood pressure under control. Take the first step and schedule an annual wellness check with your primary healthcare provider. Print out a copy of our Guide to managing your high blood pressure (PDF file) for guidance on talking with your healthcare provider and taking steps to lower your blood pressure.
Schedule an appointment with your Sentara Medical Group care provider via Sentara MyChart.
If you need a primary care provider, Sentara Medical Group’s team of doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners is accepting new patients.