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What You Need To Know About High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is extremely common but hard to self-diagnose. Regular well visits coupled with frequent blood pressure checks are the way to go if you think you are at risk.
It is estimated more than half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but only 1 in 4 are managing it effectively. There are virtually no symptoms that can be tied directly to hypertension, so the only way to receive a diagnosis is a blood pressure screening on your own or at your primary care office.
Dr. James Baronas, a family medicine physician at GBMC Health Partners Primary Care—Jonestown, located at 1017 E. Baltimore Street, reinforced regular checks, especially with a family history or if you have other chronic illnesses, as they can be precursors or run concurrent with hypertension.
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"Blood pressure is an important modifiable risk factor for prevention of cardiovascular disease and frequent screenings are key to help prevent these issues," he said.
With hypertension, the heart is required to pump blood against a higher pressure than it is equipped to, stretching the walls of the arteries beyond its healthy limit and placing a strain on the body. This strain can be a leading contributor to heart failure, chronic kidney disease, including the need for dialysis, stroke and heart attack.
A normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 or lower, and high blood pressure is considered 140/90 or higher. The longer high blood pressure is left untreated, the more likely a patient will experience the negative consequences. Men are more likely than woman to have hypertension and Black adults are more likely than white or Hispanic adults to be diagnosed.
Because blood pressure numbers can fluctuate, Dr. Baronas and his team will take a comprehensive look at a patient's medical history, blood pressure readings over time, other risk factors or chronic conditions being managed as well as circumstantial life events like stressful events, pregnancy or other short-term contributors to assess a patient's overall treatment plan.
"Particularly at GBMC Health Partners, our coordinated and comprehensive approach works with patients to help them manage chronic high blood pressure according to their own unique needs," Dr. Baronas said.
Typically, Dr. Baronas prefers to start a treatment plan with lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise/movement, establishing a healthy, low sodium diet with low preservative foods and lowering stress before moving to medications. But if medications are the way to go, they can be a helpful and effective way to manage high blood pressure.
"Lowering blood pressure takes a commitment to lifestyle changes," Dr. Baronas said. "In cases where medication is needed, there are many safe and effective blood pressure medications with little to no side effects that can be prescribed."
Though it can be scary if left undiagnosed, there are ways to manage hypertension. Find a provider you trust to manage your care with you.
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Chronic Kidney Damage In Men: 7 Dangerous Ways High Blood Pressure And Diabetes Affect Your Kidney Health
Chronic Kidney Damage In Men: 7 Dangerous Ways High Blood Pressure And Diabetes Affect Your Kidney Health Here's a tip-off for you: Discover the seven perilous effects of high blood pressure and diabetes on men's kidneys. Grasping how these health conditions interfere with your kidney's health is key to stopping and controlling further damage.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health concern affecting millions of people worldwide. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in India is about varies between 1 to 13% across different regions of the country. Because of the limited access and other challenges related to healthcare, 50% per cent patients of with chronic kidney disease are diagnosed at an advanced stage. There are also a limited number of specialists in the country to cater to high volumes of patients and these specialists are disproportionately distributed.
Chronic Kidney Disease: How Hypertension And Diabetes Affect Your Kidney HealthChronic kidney disease may commonly be an outcome of prolonged diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Although there are several other causes because these two conditions are so prevalent (and increasing in prevalence) in India, so is chronic kidney disease. It is extremely important to actively control hypertension and diabetes in its early stages to prevent damage to the kidneys. Paradoxically an emerging body of evidence is suggesting that some categories of drugs which may be part of blood pressure management can damage the kidneys. Diuretics are known to strain the kidneys and the long-term effects of Angiotensin Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor usage are being looked at in connection to chronic kidney disease. Painkillers are another important category of drugs which can affect the kidneys.
"Unnecessary and excessive usage of medicines should be avoided to safeguard the kidneys. As we begin to understand some immune system mediated causes for chronic kidney disease, it is important to lead a disciplined healthy lifestyle to help manage immune system mediated illnesses," said Dr Kushal Banerjee, Senior Homeopath, Dr Kalyan Banerjee's Clinic.
"Once diagnosed with chronic kidney disease it is vital that any pre-existing prescriptions be looked at closely to remove any medicine or supplement which may be contributing to the problem. Observing dietary precautions advised for patients with chronic kidney disease is an important part of managing it. Non-compliance with dietary restrictions can quickly make the kidney function test readings go up. Moderate amounts of exercise, drinking fluids in advised quantities and leading a disciplined healthy life will help manage many aspects of chronic kidney disease," he added.
Factors That Affect Your Kidney HealthLifestyle choices play a crucial role in the development and progression of kidney disease, with men being particularly vulnerable to certain risk factors. Understanding how lifestyle choices impact kidney health and implementing preventive measures is essential for men to reduce their risk of developing kidney disease.
Men are more likely to develop kidney disease compared to women, primarily due to various lifestyle factors. Dr Kunal Raj Gandhi, Consultant, Nephrology, Amrita Hospital Faridabad, said that some of the key risk factors for kidney disease in men include:
Now, that you know what factors contribute to poor kidney health, let's look into what you can do to keep the organ safe.
How To Keep Your Kidneys Safe?Dr. Gandhi also added that to reduce the risk of kidney disease, men can adopt the following preventive strategies:
Monitoring and Management
Regular health check-ups, including kidney function tests, are important for early detection and management of any potential issues. Men should work closely with healthcare providers to monitor their kidney health and address any concerns promptly.
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What People Should Do About High Blood Pressure, According To A Doctor
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Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypertension, another word for high blood pressure, is a major contributing factor to heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death worldwide. In the US, 1 in 5 adults with hypertension don't know that they have it.
How common is hypertension, and why is it important to be diagnosed? How is it treated? Besides medications, what are lifestyle factors that can help to reduce high blood pressure? For people newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, what is the most important thing to change first?
To find out more, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, who is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore's health commissioner.
CNN: Let's start with some facts. What is hypertension, and how does high blood pressure lead to health problems?
Dr. Leana Wen: Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury or mmHg. It has two readings: Systolic (the top number) measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic (the bottom number) measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. Hypertension is generally defined as blood pressure at or above 130/80 mmHg. This is called stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 is when blood pressure is consistently 140/90 mmHg or above. Hypertensive crisis is when it is 180/120 mmHg. The treatments from your medical provider will differ depending on your blood pressure and accompanying symptoms, if any.
High blood pressure can damage multiple organs in the body. The condition can damage arteries and lead to heart disease. Hypertension can cause arteries that supply blood to your brain to be blocked or to burst, leading to a stroke. It is also a cause of chronic kidney disease. People with chronic hypertension have elevated risks for other conditions, including a greater chance of developing dementia. And high blood pressure can be fatal if left untreated. Hypertension is a primary or contributing cause of more than 691,000 deaths in the US in 2021, according to the CDC.
You can have your blood pressure checked at the doctor's office, at a local pharmacy or even at home, with your own blood pressure monitor. - annebaek/iStockphoto/Getty Images
CNN: Will people know they have hypertension based on whether they have symptoms?
Wen: Some people experience symptoms such as chest pain, headaches and blurry vision. However, these symptoms are signs of organ damage and therefore are late signs of hypertension. Most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms. This is why blood pressure screening is so important.
CNN: How common is hypertension? Are there some groups that are at higher risk than others?
Wen: Hypertension is among the most common diseases, impacting an estimated 48% of US adults. In the US, a greater percentage of men have hypertension than women. The condition is also more common in non-Hispanic Black adults than in non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics and Asians. The reasons for these differences are complex and include a combination of biological and social factors. Also, individuals with a family history of high blood pressure are more likely to have high blood pressure themselves, and people at older ages are more likely to have hypertension.
Worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.28 billion adults ages 30 to 79 have hypertension. Nearly half are unaware that they have the condition, and just 42% with the disease are diagnosed and treated.
CNN: How is hypertension treated?
Wen: There are two general categories of treatment for hypertension: medications and lifestyle changes.
There are many types of medications approved to treat high blood pressure. They include diuretics that help the body to get rid of excess sodium and water, beta-blockers that reduce the heart rate and therefore the heart's workload, and calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) that relax and open up blood vessels.
There are pills that combine medications in different classes. Some people start with one medication and then are switched to another. Some others need two or more medications.
In addition to taking medications, patients diagnosed with high blood pressure are recommended to change aspects of their lifestyle that elevate their blood pressure. These are similar lifestyle changes people can also use as preventive measures, meaning that they can prevent hypertension in those who aren't yet diagnosed with it.
CNN: What lifestyle changes can people make to better control their blood pressure?
Wen: I advise people to take an inventory of five key daily habits.
First, what is your level of physical activity? The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes per week of exercise that is at least of moderate intensity. There are substantial benefits to health at even half that recommended amount, studies have shown. People should also evaluate how often they get up to move during the day, as desk-bound workers may need additional exercise to compensate for their prolonged sitting.
Second, what is your current diet? Is it already quite healthy, with plenty of whole foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, or does it include large amounts of saturated fats and ultraprocessed foods?
Third, how much do you smoke, drink alcohol and use other substances? Smoking, drinking excessive alcohol and using substances like marijuana and cocaine can substantially increase the risk of heart disease. They can also make hypertension harder to control and can compound the negative impacts of high blood pressure.
Fourth, what is your level of stress? Studies have linked higher stress levels to increased blood pressure, as well as cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke.
Fifth, are you at a healthy weight? Obesity is a risk factor for hypertension. People who are in the category of being overweight are also more likely to have high blood pressure. Reducing weight through lifestyle changes and/or through medications will also result in better blood pressure control.
CNN: How important is each intervention? Could you rank them in order of what people should do first?
Wen: It depends on the individual. I'd recommend that people make the inventory of the five areas and then look at which area needs the most improvement, as well as the area that is easiest to change.
For instance, someone who does not exercise at all would benefit from starting with some physical activity. Another person who is quite physically active but smokes should consider smoking cessation. Yet another who is a nonsmoker but eats fast food all the time should start with rethinking diet.
People should also be honest about what changes they can make and sustain. You don't have to do everything perfectly to make a difference in your health. Another good strategy is to start with the low-hanging fruit — the changes you can make quickly and that don't require a huge shift in your lifestyle. Many people can't easily reduce stress in their lives, but maybe they can more easily start eating more fruits and vegetables.
CNN: For patients newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, what is the most important thing to change first?
Wen: This depends on the individual. I'd recommend that everyone ask their health care provider and work with them on identifying the key changes that you have to make right away.
Someone who is diagnosed with blood pressure that is just a little bit elevated may be able to begin with lifestyle changes alone. On the other hand, it's crucial for someone with very high blood pressure to take medications immediately. That is the single most important intervention they need to make.
In general, I would urge people not to delay taking medications if they are needed. Medications to reduce high blood pressure have been around for decades. They are safe and effective, and many options exist so that if you experience side effects, you can switch to another. You can work on improving your lifestyle habits at the same time. Some patients end up not having to take medications once their lifestyle changes improve. But do not put off medications.
Remember as well that controlling hypertension is something you need to take on as a long-term commitment to your health. The damage that hypertension does to your body accumulates over time, but there are many steps you can take to control your blood pressure and keep yourself healthy and well.
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