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July 26, 2022 You're young, you're healthy — so does it actually matter that your doctor is concerned about your blood pressure? Even if you're a young adult, you aren't too young to be affected by high blood pressure. In fact, almost half of adults over the age of 20 have elevated or high blood pressure — even if they appear healthy. High blood pressure doesn't cause obvious symptoms, but that doesn't mean it should be ignored. "While it might not feel like it, high blood pressure quietly damages your body over time — increasing your risk of developing serious medical conditions," says Dr. Nasir, Chief of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness at Houston Methodist. "It's why we call high blood pressure the silent killer." Plus, having high blood pressure may increase your risk of getting seriously ill with COVID-19. What your blood pressure numbers meanBlood pressure is the force that blood applies to the walls of arteries as it's pumped throughout the body. "Your arteries are built to withstand some pressure, but there's a limit to what they can handle," says Dr. Nasir. This is why blood pressure is measured and segmented based on how it affects our health. The four blood pressure categories are:
Only normal blood pressure is considered healthy. Having elevated or high blood pressure damages your heart and arteries by:
How does blood pressure affect my health?Even if you're only in your 20s or 30s, long-term studies show that having elevated blood pressure significantly increases your risk of developing serious health conditions later in life. "Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease in middle age, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S.," says Dr. Nasir. "It's also a risk factor for stroke, kidney disease and several eye conditions." Plus, high blood pressure affects more than just your health; there are financial implications, too. A person with high blood pressure spends almost $2,000 a year on the associated medications and health costs. These costs skyrocket if high blood pressure is left uncontrolled and serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, result. How do I lower my blood pressure?The steps to lower your blood pressure aren't as painful as you may be thinking. If you smoke, you'll need to stop. Otherwise, lowering your blood pressure is as easy as the "more of this, less of that" approach you're used to hearing about, including:
"Not only may young people be tempted to brush off their elevated or high blood pressure," says Dr. Nasir, "but they are less likely to be diagnosed by doctors during their office visits. Apart from taking steps now to reduce risk factors down the road, its important to discuss with your doctor if your blood pressure is consistently high." Next Steps:
Protect Your Health One of the easiest and most important steps you can take to stay healthy is establishing a relationship with a primary care doctor. Please Enter Email Please Enter Valid Email
What is blood pressure?Blood pressure can be categorized into five different types include normal, elevated, hypertension stage I, hypertension stage II, and hypertensive crisis. Blood pressure is the force applied by the blood over the inner walls of the arteries. Although the average blood pressure for a person remains constant, it shows minor fluctuations throughout the day—declining while relaxing and momentarily increasing while being excited or under stress. An increase in resting blood pressure can scar, stiffen, or harden the arteries.
High blood pressure is more likely to cause:
Signs and Symptoms of High Blood PressureHigh blood pressure may not have any symptoms and so hypertension has been labeled "the silent killer." Longstanding high blood pressure can lead to multiple complications including heart attack, kidney disease, or stroke. Some people experience symptoms with their high blood pressure. These symptoms include:
What are the different blood pressure categories?
Blood pressure can be categorized into five different types, namely: Table. Different blood pressure categories
Contact the physician immediately if the following symptoms are experienced:
SLIDESHOWExercises for Seniors: Tips for Core, Balance, Stretching See SlideshowWhat is normal blood pressure according to age and gender?Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. Its measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first (systolic pressure) is measured after the heart contracts and is highest. The second (diastolic pressure) is measured before the heart contracts and the lowest. A blood pressure cuff is used to measure the pressure. Elevation of blood pressure is called "hypertension". The chart shows normal blood pressure according to age both male and female. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) are included in the chart.
Health NewsHow to treat low blood pressure?Low blood pressure can be prevented or treated using the following methods:
Medications such as fludrocortisone or midodrine may also help to treat low blood pressure. Medically Reviewed on 10/4/2022 References https://www.webmd.com/heart/qa/what-medications-are-used-to-treat-low-blood-pressure https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4998762/ https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings What is normal BP as per age?Table 5.1: Estimated Blood Pressure Ranges (mm Hg). What is a good blood pressure for a 70 year old?ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for over-80s is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg at home)
Is 140 over 70 a good blood pressure?Normal: Less than 120/80. Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80. Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89.
What is normal blood pressure by age for female?Women aged 21-25 have the lowest normal diastolic reading (115.5-70.5), while women aged 31-35 have the lowest normal systolic reading (110.5/72.5). The age group with the highest normal blood pressure reading in women is between ages 56 and 60 (132.5/78.5).
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