According to the American Heart Association, about one in three U.S. adults have high blood pressure or approximately 73 million people. Because many times there are no symptoms, 30 percent of these people don’t even know that they have it. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure, or commonly referred to as “hypertension”, is to have your blood pressure checked. A blood pressure test is quick and painless. It can be done in a doctor’s office, hospital, health fair or anywhere that may have a portable instrument called a sphygmomanometer, which may include Wal-Mart or your local pharmacy.

So one may ask what is high blood pressure? The heart works as a central pump to supply the body with blood. Each time the heart beats, a large volume of blood is released and sent to all parts of the body. A blood pressure reading appears as two numbers. The first and higher of the two is a measure of systolic pressure or the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills with blood. The second number measures diastolic pressure or the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

A desired level or “normal” blood pressure is considered 120/80. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, blindness and kidney failure. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it rarely causes symptoms, even as it inflicts serious damage to the body.

Medical science does not understand why many cases of high blood pressure occur, so it’s hard to say how to prevent it. We do know that several risk factors may contribute to high blood pressure. There are some risk factors that are out of a person’s control which include: Race- African Americans develop high blood pressure more often. Heredity- If your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure, you’re more likely to develop it. Age- In general, the older you get, the greater your chance of developing high blood pressure. There are lifestyle changes that we can do which may decrease your blood pressure, prevent or delay the onset of hypertension. These include: 1. Change your diet. Decrease the amount of salt you use when cooking and eating. If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. 2. Exercise for 30 minutes per day on most days of the week. Walking is one of the most enjoyable ways to exercise. 3. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Heavy and regular use of alcohol can increase blood pressure dramatically. 4. Stop smoking. It is never too late to quit. Ask your caregiver for more information on how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting. 5. Reduce stress. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing, meditation and listening to music. Sometimes even doing the very best that you can to control your blood pressure; you may still need to take medication. Always take your medication as directed and never stop taking them without talking to your healthcare provider.

At Sampson Regional Medical Center (SRMC), we offer monthly “Heart Healthy” and “Weight Loss” classes at The Center for Health and Wellness. These classes are free of charge and are presented by a nurse and a dietitian. Our focus is on educating our community. If you have questions about specific dates and times call Brenda Avent, RN at SRMC at 590-8744. Sampson Regional Medical Center is represented on the Healthy Carolinians Coalition and shares the goal of improving the health of our community.