One of three adults has high blood pressure, and most do not even know it.
There are few symptoms, if any at all. An individual can experience a headache, dizziness, nose bleeds, or more seriously, end up in a hospital emergency room with a heart attack or stroke. This is why undiagnosed high blood pressure is so dangerous, and is often referred to as the “silent killer.”
The normal blood pressure range for an adult is less than 120/80, but greater than 90/60. Both numbers are equally important. The top number, called systolic, represents the pressure generated when the heart contracts. The bottom number, or diastolic, is the pressure when the heart is at rest, or in between beats.
Ten tips to keep the blood pressure within normal range:
1. Maintain your ideal weight range.
2. Exercise for 30 minutes, five to seven days a week (aerobic activity such as fast walking, jogging, dancing, etc.).
3. Be careful with salt. Sodium contained in processed foods can retain fluids and increase blood pressure. If your blood pressure is already borderline, restrict your daily sodium intake to less than 1,500 milligrams a day.
4. Minimize caffeine intake. Beverages like coffee, tea, pops and energy drinks can certainly raise blood pressure.
5. Minimize daily stress levels.
6. Do not use tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars or smokeless tobacco).
7. Minimize alcoholic beverages.
8. Be cautious with over-the-counter products such as cold remedies and allergy medications, as some can increase blood pressure.
9. Keep your cholesterol values within the ideal range.
10. If you snore, consider seeing your doctor to schedule an overnight sleep study, as Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a risk factor for developing high blood pressure.
All adults should see their doctor yearly for a physical and have their blood pressure checked. If you already have high blood pressure, the frequency of appointments is as directed by your doctor. Hypertension, and all of its potential associated serious complications (i.e., heart attack, stroke, irreversible kidney damage, blindness and memory problems) for many adults can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes and regular monitoring of blood pressure.
====
Appearance Sunday
Dr. Linda Petter will discuss “Healthcare on a Budget” at 10:45 a.m. May 15 at the Grace Community Church chapel, 1320 Auburn Way So.
The program is free to the public.
Petter will bring money saving tips and insider secrets in her presentation.
She is a local doctor, author and consumer healthcare advocate, and is heard weekly on KOMO News Radio.
Whether you have insurance or not, families, individuals and seniors will benefit from Petter’s information.
====
Dr. Linda Petter of Auburn is a weekly feature on KOMO News Radio (1000 AM & 97.7 FM) every Sunday live 7:45 a.m., and a columnist for the Auburn Reporter. She trained at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Illinois, Carle Hospital. Dr. Petter is chief of the Department of Family Practice at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. She is a consumer healthcare advocate, and her books, “Healthcare On a Budget” and “Common Medical Sense”, are available on Amazon.com. Please visit her website, www.DocForAll.com, or call her office at 253-568-0841.
