High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease, stroke, vision loss, and sexual problems in men. It is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. One in three Americans have high blood pressure, but only half of those have it under control.
So, what is high blood pressure?
As your heart pumps blood, the blood pushes against the walls of blood vessels. This force is called blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure is, the more the blood pushes on the the blood vessels, and the harder your heart has to work to pump blood to all of your body.
How do you know if you have high blood pressure?
To find if you have high blood pressure, visit your Primary Care Provider (PCP) at your medical home for a check-up. This is very important because high blood pressure has no symptoms. That is why it is called the silent killer.
If your PCP at your medical home tells you that you have high blood pressure, there are many ways you can help control it.
Choosing a healthy diet low in salt is a great start. An easy way to eat healthy is to divide your plate into four equal parts. Two parts should be filled with fruits and vegetables, preferably raw or steamed. Fill one part with protein, such as chicken breast. The last part is your starch, like a piece of whole wheat bread or brown rice. Avoid fried foods and sugary sweets.
Exercise helps you strengthen your heart, feel better, and reduce stress. Your PCP can guide you on appropriate exercise routines.
If you smoke, try to quit. Everytime you smoke, your blood vessels constrict, causing your blood pressure to rise even higher. If you need help quitting, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-Quit-Yes. The call is free.
If blood pressure medicine is prescribed by your doctor, be sure to take it as prescribed. Ask your PCP or pharmacist for help if the directions are not clear to you. Make a plan to help you remember to take your medicine every day. Use a calendar and check off when you have taken your pill.
If you miss your dose, contact your PCP for instructions on what to do. If your PCP prescribes more than one medicine, write these medicines down in a chart, and check them off as you take them.
The American Heart Association offers a free medicine chart to make this easy for you. Be sure to take this chart with you when you visit any medical or dental provider.
Your PCP may order a blood pressure monitor for you if he feels that you need one. Take your blood pressure at the same time every day and write down your results. There is a handy blood pressure chart you can use for this. Take this chart with you when you visit your medical home. And be sure to bring in your blood pressure monitor so your PCP can check its accuracy.
There is no safe level of high blood pressure. High blood pressure does not go away after time, it is a life-long disease. Work with your PCP and follow your PCP’s advice to help keep your blood pressure under control.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association, Choosemyplate.gov
