February is American Heart Month, and what better time to raise awareness about high blood pressure, a serious health issue that impacts approximately one out of every three American adults? 

While most people are familiar with the terms “high blood pressure” and “hypertension,” there is far less understanding of what exactly these refer to and why you need to pay attention to this key medical indicator. The truth is that one of the best things you can do to safeguard your heart health is to be educated about your blood pressure and how to keep it under control.  

Health Impacts of Hypertension

Your blood pressure is a measure of how hard your blood is pushing against the walls of your blood vessels. When your blood pressure is higher than it should be, that means your heart is working extra hard to send blood out to different parts of the body. This is a dangerous issue that can eventually lead to serious heart conditions, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), stroke, and even heart failure. It can also cause kidney disease as the arteries around those organs are affected.

As an early warning sign of serious heart disease, your blood pressure should be measured at least once a year by your physician – and more often if you have a history of heart problems or high blood pressure. 

Know Your Numbers

Your blood pressure measures two different functions of your heart and arteries. The first number is your systolic blood pressure, an indicator of how hard your blood pushes against your veins when the heart beats. The second number is the diastolic blood pressure, which is the amount of pressure within the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats. Together, these numbers give your doctor a clear picture of your heart health. 

Your physician will let you know where your blood pressure falls within these five ranges:

• Normal: Below 120/80
• Elevated: 120-129/Less than 80
• Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130-139/80-89
• Stage 2 high blood pressure: 140 and above/90 and above
• Hypertension crisis: Higher than 180/Higher than 120

Steps to Lower Your Blood Pressure

If you have elevated or high blood pressure, it’s important to take steps to better manage your heart health before you experience serious health issues. Talk to your health provider about a plan that is right for you, which will likely include the following:

• Shedding extra pounds if you are overweight
• A regular exercise regimen
• Consuming more heart-healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, and low-fat/low-cholesterol foods
• Reducing your sodium intake
• A smoking cessation program if you smoke
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Learning stress-reduction techniques
• Regular blood pressure monitoring

Dr. Rajesh Tota-Maharaj is a board-certified, interventional cardiologist with AdventHealth Medical Group in East Orlando. He is passionate about identifying and addressing risk factors to avoid preventable heart attacks.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit AdventHealthCardiovascularInstitute.com or call (407) 303-6588.