Hypertension: Knowing These Numbers Could Save Your Life

by Kameryn Gannon

Nearly half of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, putting them at risk for heart disease and stroke, but what you don’t know about hypertension might surprise you. Odds are, you may have high blood pressure and not even know it, that’s a serious mistake.

Less worries more positive moments. Close up view on a female nurse sitting in front of a senior patient while measuring her blood pressure during a regular visit.

“Hypertension is called a silent killer because it initially does not have any symptoms,” warns Internal Medicine Physician Dora Ancaya, M.D. “It does not give you any symptoms. Most of the patients do not feel anything.”

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association guidelines for hypertension define high blood pressure as blood pressure at or above 130 over 80.

a common cause of hypertension that’s hard to measure and often is overlooked is stress.

“But the stress does not come alone,” clarifies Dr. Ancaya. “There are other risk factors such as a lack of exercise, a bad diet with the high sodium intake, smoking, drugs, over-the-counter medications that the patient is not aware of.”

Remember, high blood pressure usually has no symptoms, another reason why regular checkups with your healthcare provider are so important.

“Once you understand the disease and follow the instructions that your doctor gives you and take your medication. You will not have any problem,” assures Dr. Ancaya. “You will avoid complications, and you will live a long happy life.”

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