High Blood Pressure, the Silent Killer

 

Nearly one in three Americans have high blood pressure. But only about one-third know it. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because many times it has no signs or symptoms. You could have high blood pressure for years and not know it. Although, you feel perfectly well, your heart could be working dangerously hard. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and vision loss. It is the holiday season, and that is an added stressor for many.

 

Your blood pressure should stay below 120/80. A systolic-or top number-from 120 to 139, or a diastolic-or bottom number-from 80-89, signals borderline high blood pressure, or prehypertension. You have hypertension if your top number reaches 140 or the bottom number reaches 90.

 

The risk for high blood pressure increases if you are overweight and if you are a man older than age 45 or a women older than 55. Risk levels also jump up if you have a family history of high blood pressure or if your blood pressure is already just above normal.

 

The good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled in most people. With proper treatment, including lifestyle changes, the effects of this silent killer can be prevented or reduced. But the only way to find out if your pressure is high is to have it checked. The sooner you know your blood pressure is high, the sooner you can stop it.