Regular blood pressure checks are an important part of staying healthy. But to reap the benefits, you’ll need to know what those two numbers actually mean.
Controlling your blood pressure can help protect your heart and reduce your risk for a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. It may also help to prevent or delay problems like chronic kidney disease and vascular dementia.
That’s why I like to help patients in our cardiology clinic learn more about those top and bottom figures. Here’s what we talk about — and what you can do to keep your blood pressure healthy.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force, or pressure, of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood. A person has high blood pressure when their blood flows through their arteries at a pressure that’s higher than normal. Doctors refer to this as hypertension.
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers that are separated by a slash, like this: 120/80 mm Hg.
- Systolic blood pressure is the top number. This measures how much pressure your blood puts on your artery walls when your heart beats.
- Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number. It measures how much pressure your blood puts against your artery walls in between heart beats, when the heart is filling with blood.
Both numbers are important for diagnosing high blood pressure. But systolic blood pressure gives more information about heart disease risk factors for people over 50. As we age, this number tends to go up because the arteries become stiffer and more plaque-filled.
High diastolic blood pressure can also raise the risk for heart disease. But the bottom number is particularly important for younger people, whose blood vessels are generally more flexible. If a young person’s diastolic blood pressure is high, it could increase the risk for atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
What do my blood pressure numbers mean?
Here’s what the numbers indicate:
- Healthy blood pressure is less than 120 (systolic) and 80 (diastolic) mm Hg.
- Elevated blood pressure is between 120 and 129 (systolic) and less than 80 (diastolic) mm Hg. Elevated blood pressure isn’t high enough to count as hypertension. But it’s a warning sign that a person’s blood pressure is headed in the wrong direction.
- High blood pressure or hypertension is 130 or higher (systolic) and 80 or higher (diastolic) mm Hg.
People with certain conditions may have different blood pressure goals. Your health care provider can help you determine a healthy target range for you.
High blood pressure almost never causes symptoms. That’s why getting regular blood pressure checks is so important.
Things that can lead to high blood pressure
Different factors can cause your blood pressure numbers to rise. Some of them are within your power to control. These include:
- Obesity or excess body weight
- Eating a high-salt, high-fat diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Stress
- Tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol use
Other high blood pressure factors can’t be changed. These include:
- Age
- Family history
Certain health conditions, like diabetes, can also put you at risk for high blood pressure.
How to manage your blood pressure
There are things that everyone can do to manage their blood pressure. When my patients ask me about the steps that make the biggest impact, I encourage them to:
- Follow a heart-healthy diet like a Mediterranean-style diet or the DASH eating plan. Fill up on fruits and vegetables and limit salt.
- Be active most days. Regular exercise keeps your heart and blood vessels strong. It also supports a healthy weight.
- Work toward a healthy weight if needed. Your doctor can help you determine a healthy weight for you.
- Manage underlying conditions like diabetes. Take your prescribed medications to keep your blood sugar levels in check.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking damages your blood vessels. Talk with your doctor if you need help quitting.
Your doctor may prescribe a blood pressure-lowering medication if lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to bring your numbers down. Taking your blood pressure medication as prescribed can protect your heart health and reduce your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Having the right care team on your side matters, too. The experts at the Temple Heart & Vascular Institute can help you take control of your blood pressure. Call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) to learn more or schedule an appointment online.