High Blood Pressure Care

Your blood pressure is comprised of two measurements.

• Systolic pressure – Measures the force of blood against the artery walls when your heart beats. Ideally, this number is 120 or below.
• Diastolic pressure – Measures the force of blood against the artery walls between heart beats. Ideally, this number is 80 or below.

120/80 is considered normal blood pressure. 130/80 or above is considered high blood pressure.

High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause symptoms, but having it can increase your risk of heart attack, kidney failure, or stroke.

Risk factors include:

• Men older than 45 and women older than 65 are more likely to have high blood pressure.
• Being overweight
• Chronic conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, or kidney disease
• Eating a diet high in salt and low in potassium and vitamin D can increase blood pressure.
• Family history
• Not getting enough exercise
• Pregnancy
• Stress
• Using tobacco or drinking too much alcohol

Work with our heart and vascular specialists to learn how to reduce your blood pressure. They will provide guidance, education, and support and may recommend the following:

• Lifestyle changes
• Procedures that can improve kidney function
• Medications, including aspirin