What Is Hypertension and What Can I Do About It?

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition where your heart has to work too hard to pump blood throughout your body. Often caused by atherosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries,” it puts you at increased risk for serious health concerns, such as heart attack and stroke.

At TRiiBE Medical LLC in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Dr. Uloma Ibe and our team routinely diagnose and treat our patients with hypertension. As many people don’t understand the condition or know how to manage it, we’re taking this opportunity to get you up to speed.

What is blood pressure, and how do you measure it?

Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts on the walls of the arteries exiting the heart. We measure it using an inflatable cuff around your upper arm, and two numbers result in the final reading, one above the other.

The top number is the systolic pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and it’s the force the blood exerts when your heart is actively pumping.

The bottom number is the diastolic pressure, and it’s the force the blood exerts when your heart is resting between beats.

Both the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association classify blood pressure into four general categories:

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

Any blood pressure that measures higher than 180/120 mm Hg is a hypertensive crisis and needs emergency medical attention.

What causes hypertension?

For most adults, hypertension develops gradually over a long period. As we mentioned, atherosclerosis, or a build-up of sticky plaque made of fats, cholesterol, cell debris, protein, and calcium on the artery walls, is a major reason for increased pressure.

Pressure can also increase due to prolonged stress or an underlying medical condition, which is why it’s important to have it checked regularly. Knowing the cause can help inform the treatment.

How do you diagnose hypertension?

The only way to tell if your blood pressure is elevated or not is to take a reading using an inflatable cuff. Doctors always measure your pressure when you come in for an office visit, but you can also take readings at home with a cuff you get from your local pharmacy. Many pharmacies also have their own blood pressure set-ups on-site, so you can check it there.

It’s important to have your pressure taken regularly, because hypertension is called a “silent killer.” That’s because it doesn’t produce any noticeable symptoms until you reach a crisis, like a heart attack or stroke. And the earlier you catch the problem, the easier it is to treat.

How do you treat hypertension?

If your blood pressure is consistently high, Dr. Ibe may prescribe medication to lower it and/or cholesterol, if those levels are also high. The first line of defense, though, is lifestyle changes.

Eat a heart-healthy diet

Focus on eating a low-fat, low-sodium diet, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diets. These focus on plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats like those found in avocados and salmon.

Move your body

The CDC recommends that adults get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week (about 30 minutes a day, five days a week), as well as two days of muscle-strengthening activity. Moving your body helps not just your heart, but all of your organs to perform more efficiently.

Lose weight

Losing just 5% of your body weight can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. If you’re having trouble shedding the pounds, talk with Dr. Ibe about an appropriate weight loss plan.

Don’t smoke

Smoking hardens your arteries, dehydrates your tissues, and increases your risk for many diseases, including heart disease and stroke. If you currently smoke, now is a great time to stop; if you don’t smoke, make a promise to yourself never to start.

If you haven’t had your blood pressure taken recently, it’s time to come into TRiiBE Medical LLC for a reading. Call our office at 301-615-4133 to schedule an appointment or book one online today.