- Hypertension impacts millions.
- Hypertension can be fatal, but it's easy to check with a blood pressure cuff.
- Researchers surveyed 50-80-year-olds about hypertension.
- Less than half of adults who should self-monitor hypertension do so, according to the poll.
Hypertension
High blood pressure is called hypertension, and there are many things that can cause it. High blood pressure can be caused by eating a lot of salt or a lot of fat. The CDC says that diabetes and being overweight can make blood pressure go up. A cuff or monitor is used to measure blood pressure. Home blood pressure monitors are available.
The American Heart Association divides blood pressure readings into the following groups:
Blood pressure should be less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic to be healthy.
High blood pressure is between 120 and 129 mmHg and below 80 mmHg. 130-139/80-89 mmHg is 130-139/80-89 mmHg. If your blood pressure is 140 or 90 mmHg, you have stage 2 hypertension. The CDC says that half of all people in the U.S. have high blood pressure.
Contrary to what most people think, hypertension can affect younger adults. Trusted Source says that one in eight people ages 20 to 40 have high blood pressure. Only 24% of adults know how to handle their high blood pressure, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Medications, changes to the way you eat, and exercise can all help control high blood pressure.
Less than half of the checks the experts looked at the January 2017 National Poll on Healthy Aging from Michigan University. The experts looked at the answers of people 50 to 80 years old. Most people in this age group have high blood pressure. The height, weight, and health issues of the participants were given. "Stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and chronic renal disease"
People were also asked if they checked their blood pressure on their own or if their doctor told them to. 48% of people who have high blood pressure or a disease that can cause it regularly check their blood pressure.
Only 61.6% said they were told to check their blood pressure by their doctors. The poll found that less than two-thirds of clinicians were in favor of self-monitoring. 75% of the people who took the survey said they had a blood pressure monitor, but some don't use it and others don't tell their doctors what it says. Self-monitoring of blood pressure is very important. The poll results show how important it is to know about blood pressure and talk to your doctor. Hypertension affects people of all ages, and if it isn't managed, it can kill, so keeping track of it can save your life.
Dr. Anjali Dutta, a cardiologist at the Atlantic Health System's Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey, talked about the study. Dr. Dutta said, "This study gives people the tools they need to take charge of their own health." Dr. Dutta also said that many people may not be able to check their own blood pressure because they are too busy at work or don't have enough tools.
A doctor who wasn't part of the study, Dr. Vicken Zeitjian, told MNT why people might not check their blood pressure. "High blood pressure usually doesn't cause any symptoms unless it's very high (a'silent killer')," Dr. Zeitjian said. "So many patients don't feel the need to check." Dr. Zeitjian said that doctors don't always tell people to check their blood pressure if it's normal in the clinic.
Dr. Zeitjian said, "Hypertension is out." Blood pressure changes throughout the day based on how much you move, what you eat, and how stressed you are. It's important to know your blood pressure all day long, not just when you go to the doctor.
Dr. Zeitjian pointed out that heart diseases are becoming more common in younger people. This shows how important it is for people of all ages to check their own blood pressure. "I tell young people to start and keep up a heart-healthy way of life." Even though genes can't be changed, what you eat, how often you exercise (regularity is key), whether or not you smoke, how much alcohol you drink, and how responsible you are can. Annual physicals make sure that any problems are found early and handled before they get worse.
Reference: https://jamanetwork.com/
