01 MAR 2022

How to Combat The Silent Killer

A middle-aged man in his home, operating a blood pressure sleeve to check his numbers.
Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure and only one in four adults have their condition under control.

Having untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure. But there are steps you can take to get your blood pressure under control.

Ehsan Ghods, DO | Family Medicine | Fairfield, CA “One of the most common comments I hear from patients with blood pressure issues is, ‘But I feel fine,’” said NorthBay Healthcare family medicine physician Ehsan Ghods, D.O. “That is one of the worst things about high blood pressure — it causes no symptoms. That's why it's called the silent killer.”

In 2019, more than half a million deaths in the United States had hypertension as a primary or contributing cause.

Nearly half of American adults (47 percent, or 116 million) have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and only one in four adults with high blood pressure has their condition under control.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is diagnosed when your blood pressure measures greater than 130/80.

So, if there are no symptoms for high blood pressure, how do you know if you are at risk?

Family history plays a part. If your parents or other close blood relatives have high blood pressure, there’s an increased chance that you’ll get it, too.

Your age plays a role, too. The older you are, the more likely you are to get high blood pressure. As we age, our blood vessels gradually lose some of their elastic quality, which can contribute to increased blood pressure. However, children can also develop high blood pressure.

Men, up to age 64, are more likely to get high blood pressure than women. That changes when people hit age 65; that’s when women are more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure.

African-Americans tend to develop high blood pressure more often than people of any other racial background in the United States. It also tends to be more severe, and some medications are less effective.

The good news is there are things you can do to control your blood pressure:

  • Get your blood pressure checked regularly. Knowing your numbers is the first step in bringing them under control.
  • Get enough physical activity. Regular physical activity makes your heart stronger. A stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort.
  • Eat a healthy diet that is low in sodium. It should also include a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat.
  • Lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Weight loss reduces the strain on your heart.
  • Quit smoking. The nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products make your blood vessels get narrow and your heart beat faster, which raise your blood pressure.
  • Lower your cholesterol, intake of alcohol and stress, all of which cause increases in blood pressure.
  • Get good sleep. Sleeping poorly can actually increase your blood pressure so make sure you get seven to eight hours each night.
  • Keep diabetes in check. Controlling blood sugars can help decrease your risk of developing high blood pressure.

Your doctor can help you understand your blood pressure. Find a NorthBay primary care doctor online or make an appointment to see one of our doctors by calling (707) 646-5500.

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