Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Richard Howard, from the Prairie Lakes Cardiology Clinic offers simple suggestions to raise awareness around hypertension.
Hypertension, or “high blood pressure” is a very common condition. It is estimated that approximately 45% of Americans have hypertension, and 1/5 Americans with hypertension are unaware they have it. Untreated hypertension can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and loss of vision. Treating high blood pressure can help prevent these problems.
A normal blood pressure is 120/80. The top number is called the systolic pressure. The bottom number is called the diastolic pressure. Several elevations in either systolic or diastolic pressures are considered high blood pressure. Hypertension is defined by different criteria, but it is generally accepted that numbers greater than the 130’s/80’s signify high blood pressure.
Blood pressure monitoring machines are readily available, relatively inexpensive, and can be purchased online, at your local drug store or supermarket. An automatic cuff that measures blood pressure in the arm is preferred, with the correct size cuff for the individual’s arm. When measuring blood pressure, a person should be seated and relaxed for at least 5 or 10 minutes. Avoid caffeine and smoking for at least 30 minutes prior to checking your blood pressure. Check both arms, and if they are not similar, use the arm with the higher pressure.
Check your blood pressure one or two times per week, at different times of the day. Keep a blood pressure log and bring it to your next office visit. While not common, approximately 10% of patients have so called “white coat hypertension”, where the blood pressure is elevated at the office visit, but not at home. Home blood pressure checks are important to establish the diagnosis.
If you have any concerns about high blood pressure and/or hypertension, call the Prairie Lakes Cardiology Clinic at 605-882-7777 to make an appointment today.