High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition in which the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as two numbers:
the systolic pressure (the higher number) and the diastolic pressure (the lower number). Normal blood pressure is considered to be below 120/80 mmHg.
In general, blood pressure is considered to be high when it consistently measures above 130/80 mmHg over a period of time.
However, the exact definition of high blood pressure may vary depending on individual factors such as age, overall health, and other medical conditions.
High blood pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle factors such as a diet high in sodium and low in potassium, lack of physical activity, stress, and certain medical conditions.
It can increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, among others.
It is often called the “silent killer” because it typically has no symptoms, so it is important to have blood pressure checked regularly and to make lifestyle changes or seek medical treatment if necessary to manage high blood pressure.
But there’s some exciting news for people with high blood pressure, especially those who are over 60 years old.
A new study has been published in the journal Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications, which has evaluated the ideal systolic blood pressure (SBP) target for older patients with hypertension.
In order to conduct this research, the team used a special method called Bayesian network meta-analysis.
It is a statistical technique that combines data from different studies to give us more reliable conclusions.
The health outcomes comprised of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), heart disease death, all-cause death, heart attack, heart failure and stroke. A total of six trials were included in the study.
All treatment therapies were reclassified into three categories based on the final achieved SBP after the intervention, which were SBP targets of <130 mmHg, 130–139 mmHg, and ≥140 mmHg.
The researchers showed that anti-hypertensive treatment with an SBP target of less than 130 mmHg, compared to a target of greater than or equal to 140 mmHg, strongly decreased the incidence of MACE.
Although the study results showed a trend towards more intensive anti-hypertension therapy having better effects on preventing heart disease death, all-cause death, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke, no big differences were found among the groups.
In conclusion, the meta-analysis suggested that keeping systolic blood pressure below 130 mmHg might be the best way to control blood pressure for patients who are 60 years of age or older.
The team says while this is promising news, further research is required to support these findings.
How To Manage Your Blood Pressure
Managing blood pressure is an important step in maintaining good health and preventing various health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.
Here are some tips to help you manage your blood pressure:
Monitor your blood pressure regularly: It’s essential to measure your blood pressure regularly, especially if you have hypertension. You can do this at home using a blood pressure monitor or at a healthcare facility.
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of high blood pressure. Losing weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise can help lower your blood pressure.
Follow a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products can help lower blood pressure. Reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and salt.
Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging, can help lower blood pressure. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.
Quit smoking: Smoking increases blood pressure and damages the blood vessels, leading to various health problems. Quitting smoking can help lower blood pressure and improve overall health.
Limit alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure. It’s recommended to limit alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Manage stress: Stress can temporarily increase blood pressure. Try stress-management techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, to help reduce stress levels.
Take medications as prescribed: If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to manage blood pressure, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications.
It’s important to take these medications as prescribed and follow up with your healthcare provider regularly to monitor your blood pressure and adjust treatment as needed.
By following these tips, you can effectively manage your blood pressure and reduce the risk of various health problems.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and Yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that black licorice could cause dangerous high blood pressure, and this common plant nutrient could help reduce high blood pressure.
The study was conducted by Yuling Yan et al.
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