Understanding Blood Pressure
	What is Blood Pressure? As the heart beats, it pumps blood through our arteries or other parts of our bodies.  The force with which blood pushes against the walls of the arteries is called blood pressure. Each time the heart contracts (about 60-80 times a minute under normal conditions), a surge of blood is sent into the arteries increasing the blood pressure in the arteries.  As the heart relaxes between beats, blood pressure decreases.   The number given for a blood pressure reading represents two kinds of pressure.  The fist or top number measures the force of the heartbeat pushing blood from the heart into the vessels.  This is the systolic pressure.  Systolic pressure changes depending on what a person is doing.  The second or bottom number measures the pressure between beats when the heart is at rest.  This is the diastolic pressure, which stays at about the same level all the time. What is Normal Blood Pressure? A normal blood pressure reading is 140/90 or below.  Blood pressure that stays high all the time – anything over 140/90 for most adults – usually means there is too much pressure or strain on the heart and the blood vessels. Risk Factors More than one in four Americans has high blood pressure.  There are often no symptoms for high blood pressure and it is often called the silent killer.  The disease occurs most often in people over the age of 35.  In general, the older a person is, the greater his or her chance of developing high blood pressure. Fifty percent of the deaths in the United States are caused by cardiovascular disease, namely heart attacks and strokes.  Factors that increase the chance of a person’s developing high blood pressure include heredity, age, sex, race, obesity, and sensitivity to sodium.  Factors that also seem to have some bearing on high blood pressure include heavy alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, and smoking. Heredity – A tendency toward high blood pressure seems to run in families.  People whose close blood relatives have suffered strokes or heart attacks at an early age should be especially careful about monitoring their blood pressure. Sex – Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women.  A woman’s risk of developing high blood pressure increases after menopause. Race – Blacks develop high blood pressure more often that whites.  High blood pressure tends to have an earlier onset and be more severe in blacks.   Obesity – People whose weight is 20 percent above their ideal body weight are more likely to develop high blood pressure.   Sodium sensitivity – Heavy sodium (salt) consumption seems to increase blood pressure in some people.   Smoking – Smoking aggravates high blood pressure.  Nicotine causes blood pressure to rise and the heart rate to increase.  Smoking also accelerates the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries of the heart.   Stress – Stress also seems to increase high blood pressure.  Stress causes an increase in the amount of adrenaline.  A high amount of adrenaline in the body constricts the arteries, thereby increasing high blood pressure. Treatment High blood pressure cannot be cured.  IT can be controlled in most cases.  Treatment usually must be continued for life to keep the blood pressure under control.   For some people, weight loss, exercise and recreation may lower blood pressure.  For others, medication is required.  In most treatments, dietary restrictions such as restricting sodium and decreasing dietary fats and cholesterol are recommended.   The medical treatment for high blood pressure must be tailored to the specific needs of the patient.  Remember to see your doctor regularly and comply with your doctor’s treatment program.   Always check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.  Your blood pressure must be well controlled before beginning any exercise program.