Tips for Managing Your Blood Pressure
When you visit the doctor, one of the first things a nurse will check is blood pressure. But what is blood pressure, and why is it so important to keep it under control?
May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. It's the perfect time to learn about blood pressure, complications of high blood pressure, and how to manage your blood pressure to stay healthy.
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood flows through the circulatory system. It's responsible for delivering oxygen, nutrients, antibodies, and hormones throughout the body. Blood pressure is the force that allows blood to move. When blood pressure gets too high, it is called hypertension and can cause damage to blood vessels and organs.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers to calculate the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. When reading blood pressure, the first number is the systolic blood pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number is diastolic blood pressure, the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats.
Blood Pressure Levels
The American Heart Association puts blood pressure into five different categories.
- Normal- Systolic is less than 120 mm Hg, and diastolic is less than 80 mm Hg
- Elevated- Systolic is between mm 120-129 mm Hg, and diastolic is less than 80 mm Hg
- Hypertension 1- Systolic is between mm 130-139 mm Hg, and diastolic is between 80-89 mm Hg
- Hypertension 2- Systolic is between mm 140-179 mm Hg, and diastolic is between 90-120 mm Hg
- Hypertensive Crisis- Systolic is higher than 180 mm Hg, and diastolic is higher than 120 mm Hg
Managing Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can lead to serious medical complications such as heart attack, aneurysm, heart failure, or stroke. If you're living with high blood pressure or want to reduce your risk of hypertension, consider the following lifestyle changes.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. A heart-healthy diet includes lots of fresh produce, whole grains, and lean meats in your meals while also reducing fats and salt.
- Maintain a healthy weight. People who are overweight or struggle with obesity are at a higher risk of having high blood pressure. Do your best to maintain a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise.
- Incorporate physical activity into your day. Regular physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your blood pressure normal. As an older adult, it's vital to find workouts that work for your body. Don't start a vigorous exercise routine without speaking to your doctor to ensure it's safe.
- Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol can increase your blood pressure, so be aware of how much you consume. If you find yourself drinking more than one or two drinks in a day, you may want to consult your doctor to help you reduce your alcohol intake.
- Don't smoke. Smoking increases your blood pressure and puts you at risk for various health conditions such as heart attack, cancer, and stroke. Smoking is an addictive habit, so talk to your doctor about treatment options if you're having trouble quitting.
- Find healthy ways to manage your stress. Blood pressure rises when you're stressed. Find ways to manage your stress and control your blood pressure, such as exercise or physical activity. If you're experiencing chronic stress, you may want to speak with a medical professional about stress management options.
Working with Visiting Angels
If you have high blood pressure and it's brought complications making it difficult for you to care for yourself at home, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our professional caregivers can assist with various tasks such as light housekeeping, personal grooming, medication reminders, meal preparations, dressing, and toileting. Caregivers can also provide transportation to appointments or to help run errands.
Our Gulf Shores office serves those in the Alabama Gulf Coast, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. If you'd like to learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or call us at 251. 943.7525.