Learn about High Blood Pressure: Always Bad or Is It? | HPFY
The well-known common mantra is that high blood pressure is generally “bad.” Yes, high blood pressure can be associated with a number of serious negative health issues and they include (but are not limited to) cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and other metabolic issues. High blood pressure or hypertension has always been a red flag in the medical profession, but new studies are questioning whether or not high blood pressure or hypertension is always a cause for concern.
What Constitutes High Blood Pressure?
We have all heard the term hypertension, but do we actually understand what hypertension (high blood pressure) is? If it sounds confusing, it’s because it is. The answer to that question is a little bit confusing since even specialists argue over what is “normal blood pressure.” When you take your blood pressure you will hear two numbers and these are systolic and diastolic pressure. These refer to your blood pressure when you’re heart is beating and resting, respectively. The diastolic pressure is your lower number and the systolic pressure reading is the higher number. Unfortunately, different organizations have different definitions for what is considered normal.
For instance, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute considers hypertension to be a consistent systolic reading of 140 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) or higher while the American Heart Association considers the hypertension threshold to be 130 mmHg. To confuse things further, the CDC sitters those with a systolic blood pressure of 120–139 mmHg and those that are “at risk” of hypertension. Apparently, this is not a universally held number. Patients usually get a recommendation from their physician to check their blood pressure at home in order to keep it in check. Sound advice!!
How to take Action against Hypertension?
Regardless of which threshold you want to believe in, monitoring your blood pressure and keeping your doctor informed is the best way to avoid being blindsided by hypertension. To the good, it keeps a blood pressure monitor in the home to keep an eye on your stolid/diastolic pressures. The threshold for hypertension (regardless of organization) is where healthcare professionals believe people are at risk for heart disease or even strokes. Your doctor may even suggest you take aspirin to minimize the risk of cardiac events or stroke. You should not be in any aspirin or supplement regimen without consulting your physician first. One study in Germany suggests that older folks may not face some of the other health problems associated with high blood pressure. In fact, in those involved in the studies that were 80 years old or more, those with lower blood pressure actually had a higher mortality rate. This study author, Dr. Antonios Douros, wrote “antihypertensive treatment should be adjusted based on the needs of the individual.” Basically, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for high blood pressure. Of course, this is not a directive to ignore your doctor’s orders or discontinue any prescribed medications.
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