High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (the higher number) and diastolic pressure (the lower number).
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. When it consistently measures above 130/80 mmHg, it is considered high, though this can vary depending on age, overall health, and other conditions.
Various factors can cause high blood pressure. These include genetics, a diet high in salt and low in potassium, lack of exercise, stress, and certain medical conditions. High blood pressure can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Often called the “silent killer,” it usually has no symptoms, making regular blood pressure checks important. Managing high blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medication is crucial.
Recent research offers hope for people over 60 with high blood pressure. A new study in the journal Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications investigated the ideal systolic blood pressure (SBP) target for older patients.
The researchers used a method called Bayesian network meta-analysis, which combines data from different studies for more reliable conclusions.
They analyzed health outcomes, including major cardiovascular events (MACE), heart disease death, all-cause death, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Six trials were included in the study.
The treatments were categorized based on the final SBP achieved: less than 130 mmHg, 130-139 mmHg, and 140 mmHg or more. The study found that targeting an SBP of less than 130 mmHg significantly reduced the incidence of MACE compared to targeting an SBP of 140 mmHg or more.
Although there were trends suggesting that more intensive blood pressure management might reduce heart disease deaths, all-cause deaths, heart attacks, heart failures, and strokes, no significant differences were found among the groups.
The study suggests that keeping systolic blood pressure below 130 mmHg may be the best approach for managing blood pressure in people aged 60 and older. However, the researchers emphasize that more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Managing Your Blood Pressure
Maintaining good blood pressure is crucial for overall health and preventing conditions like heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Here are some tips:
Monitor Regularly: Regularly check your blood pressure at home or in a healthcare facility, especially if you have hypertension.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure. Losing weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise can help.
Eat a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy can lower blood pressure. Reduce intake of saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and salt.
Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. Activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging can help.
Quit Smoking: Smoking raises blood pressure and damages blood vessels. Quitting improves overall health and lowers blood pressure.
Limit Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Limit intake to one drink per day for women and two for men.
Manage Stress: Stress can temporarily increase blood pressure. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress.
Take Medications as Prescribed: If lifestyle changes are not enough, medications may be necessary. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and regularly monitor your blood pressure.
By following these steps, you can manage your blood pressure effectively and reduce the risk of health problems.
Further Reading for Heart Health
- Studies suggest apple juice may benefit heart health, and yogurt may help lower death risks in heart disease.
- Black licorice can cause dangerous high blood pressure, while some plant nutrients may help reduce it.
The study was conducted by Yuling Yan and colleagues.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drug that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about nutrient that could strongly lower high blood pressure, and results showing this novel antioxidant may help reverse blood vessels aging by 20 years.
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