High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the most common health problems in the world today. It affects millions of people and is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and early death.
Many people live with high blood pressure for years without even knowing it, because it often has no clear symptoms. For this reason, it is sometimes called the “silent killer.” Doctors have long tried to understand the best way to measure, track, and treat high blood pressure so that people can live longer, healthier lives.
For many years, medical professionals have focused on two main numbers when measuring blood pressure. The first number is systolic blood pressure, which shows the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is beating.
The second number is diastolic blood pressure, which shows the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. Traditionally, doctors believed that it was important to keep the diastolic number above a certain level, usually between 70 and 90. They worried that if this number became too low, it could be dangerous, especially for older adults.
Now, a large and important new study from researchers at NUI Galway and other institutions has challenged this long-held belief. The scientists studied data from more than 47,000 people from different parts of the world.
This made their research one of the most comprehensive studies on blood pressure ever done. They looked closely at how different blood pressure levels were linked to serious health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
What they found surprised many people in the medical community. The research showed that there was no real proof that lowering diastolic blood pressure to levels that were once considered “too low” caused harm. In other words, the fear of having a diastolic number that was too low may not be as important as doctors once thought.
Instead, the study found that the systolic number was much more important for predicting the risk of heart disease and stroke. When systolic blood pressure was higher than 120, the risk of serious health problems increased significantly.
This was true even if the diastolic number was in the normal or low range. Because of this, the researchers suggested that doctors should focus mainly on keeping systolic blood pressure under control.
Based on their findings, the researchers recommend that patients with high blood pressure should be treated to reach a systolic blood pressure between 100 and 130 mmHg.
They believe that reaching this range is much more important for protecting the heart and brain than worrying about whether the diastolic number drops too low. This new idea could change how high blood pressure is treated around the world.
If doctors follow this new approach, treatment for hypertension could become simpler and more effective. Instead of focusing on two numbers equally, healthcare providers would mainly aim to bring down and control the systolic pressure.
This could help prevent many serious problems, including heart attacks, strokes, and damage to important organs such as the kidneys and brain.
Even though new research can guide doctors, individuals also play a very important role in protecting their own heart health. High blood pressure can often be prevented or controlled through healthy lifestyle habits. Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the most important steps.
Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products can also make a big difference. Reducing salt intake is especially important, because too much sodium can raise blood pressure.
Regular physical activity, such as walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing, helps keep the heart strong and supports healthy blood pressure levels.
Limiting alcohol, stopping smoking, finding ways to relax, and managing stress are also important for keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy. Finally, getting regular blood pressure checks allows people to catch any problems early, before serious damage occurs.
In the end, this study sends a powerful message. Medical knowledge is always changing as new research becomes available.
What was believed to be true in the past can sometimes be replaced with better and safer ideas. By shifting the focus to systolic blood pressure and encouraging healthy daily habits, people can better protect themselves from the dangers of high blood pressure.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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