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Hypertension (high blood pressure) poses serious challenges for San Antonio residents and Texas in general. The Lone Star State ranks 22nd among U.S. states for hypertension, affecting 31.7 percent of the population. According to the CDC, hypertension directly contributes to 9.3 deaths among every 100,000 Texans. By educating yourself on this problem now and acting on that knowledge, you can enjoy better health and a longer life.
What Does Hypertension Mean?
Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by blood against the walls of your arteries, as measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury). The top number of your blood pressure reading gives your systolic pressure, or the arterial pressure when your heart beats; the lower number indicates diastolic pressure, the arterial pressure between each beat.
A blood pressure level below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. If your top number ranges up to 129 mmHg, you have elevated blood pressure. If your overall blood pressure rises into the 130-139/80-89 mmHg range, you have Stage 1 hypertension. If it hovers at 140/90 mmHg or higher, you have Stage 2 hypertension.
How Does Hypertension Affect Your Health?
High blood pressure makes your heart work harder, which can thicken the walls of the heart and cause heart failure. The increased force on major arteries can cause arteriosclerosis, a leading cause of heart attack and stroke. Smaller arteries can weaken and tear, reducing your kidney function and damaging your eyesight. If the arteries to your brain narrow, you can develop dementia and other cognitive problems. Last but not least, hypertension can boost your diabetes risk.
What Causes Hypertension?
Primary hypertension occurs as a side effect of normal aging, with otherwise-healthy people experiencing a gradual rise in their blood pressure. Secondary hypertension, which can affect young and old alike, occurs due to some underlying health condition or lifestyle issue.
Medical factors in secondary hypertension include congenital blood vessel disorders, thyroid or adrenal gland disease, kidney disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and the effects of certain medications. Lifestyle factors include the use of illicit drugs, heavy drinking, smoking, too much sodium or not enough potassium, unmanaged stress, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Other risk factors include African-American heritage and a family history of hypertension.
How Can You Control or Prevent Hypertension?
You can improve or maintain your blood pressure by making simple adjustments to your everyday life. For example:
- Change your diet – Minimize your intake of fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, carbs, salt, sugar, and processed foods. Add more fruits, vegetables, healthy proteins, calcium, potassium, and whole grains to your diet.
- Exercise – Regular exercise (including healthy everyday activities around the house) can lower your blood pressure by up to nine points.
- Don’t smoke – If you smoke, make a serious effort to quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t pick up the habit.
- Manage your stress – Get plenty of sleep and look into stress-busting activities such as yoga, meditation, and emotional support from family and friends.
If these changes don’t give you the results you need, your primary care provider can prescribe medication to support your healthy lifestyle changes. Get a blood pressure monitor for home use and schedule periodic checkups to monitor your condition.
Whether you need to get your workforce’s blood pressure under control or you’d simply like to keep your healthy blood pressure in good shape, Direct Med Clinic can help you get the primary care visits and blood pressure management you need at affordable rates. Contact our team today to learn more.
Find more resources here:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/hypertension_mortality/hypertension.htm
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/Hypertension/state/TX
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/THCIC/Publications/Hospitals/PQIReport2005/Table8.pdf
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410
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