High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a significant health risk factor. It can lead to heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and kidney damage.

Many people do not realize the importance of monitoring their blood pressure, and how it can affect their overall health and well-being.

The basics of blood pressure

Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the walls of your blood vessels. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and has two components:.

Systolic pressure: This is the top number and measures the pressure of your blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart beats.
Diastolic pressure: This is the bottom number and measures the pressure of your blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats.

The normal range for blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. However, blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day. Factors such as stress, exercise, and caffeine intake can cause temporary spikes in blood pressure.

It is essential to monitor your blood pressure regularly.

Understanding blood pressure readings

When you visit your healthcare provider for a blood pressure test, they will check your blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. The reading will be given in two numbers – systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

If your blood pressure is within the standard range of 120/80 mm Hg, that means your heart is functioning correctly, and your health is in good condition.

Any reading above 120/80 mm Hg is a sign of hypertension, and it indicates that you are at risk for heart disease, stroke, and other complications.

Here is a breakdown of what your blood pressure reading means for your heart health:.

Prehypertension (120-139/80-89 mm Hg)

If your blood pressure reading is between 120-139/80-89 mm Hg, you have pre-hypertension. Pre-hypertension is not high blood pressure, but it’s a warning sign that you are at an increased risk of developing hypertension.

It would be best if you took steps to prevent hypertension by adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake.

Stage 1 Hypertension (140-159/90-99 mm Hg)

If your blood pressure reading is between 140-159/90-99 mm Hg, you have stage 1 hypertension. At this stage, your blood pressure is high enough to damage your blood vessels, which increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications.

Your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure and recommend lifestyle changes such as reducing salt intake, quitting smoking, losing weight, and limiting alcohol consumption.

Stage 2 Hypertension (160/100 mm Hg or higher)

If your blood pressure reading is 160/100 mm Hg or higher, you have stage 2 hypertension. At this stage, your blood pressure is dangerously high, and you are at high risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and other complications.

Your doctor will prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure immediately and suggest lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and quitting smoking.

How high blood pressure affects your heart health

When your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your heart, increasing your risk of heart disease and many other complications. Here’s how:.

Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly)

When your heart’s pump the blood into your arteries against high blood pressure, it causes the walls of the heart’s main pumping chamber (left ventricle) to thicken and enlarge.

This can lead to Cardiomegaly, a condition in which your heart becomes enlarged. An enlarged heart is not efficient in pumping blood, which increases the risk of heart failure.

Heart failure

When your heart is working harder than usual, it could become weak, and not able to pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. The result is heart failure.

With low pumping efficiency, blood and other fluids buildup in your lungs and other parts of your body, causing shortness of breath, swelling in legs, ankles, and other organs.

Atherosclerosis

Chronic high blood pressure damages the inner lining of your arteries, making it easy for fat and cholesterol to deposit in your artery walls.

Over time, these deposits build up to form plaque, hardening and narrowing your arteries, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and kidney disease.

Stroke

When high blood pressure goes untreated, it increases the risk of stroke. Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when brain cells die due to the lack of oxygen-rich blood flow.

If left untreated, stroke can cause paralysis, loss of brain function, and even death.

Conclusion

High blood pressure is a silent killer, and it’s essential to monitor your blood pressure regularly and take steps to keep it within the normal range.

Healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise, a balanced diet, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake, and stress management are essential in controlling high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, medication and other treatment approaches can help lower it and reduce the risk of complications.