A significant number of Americans are misinformed about the thresholds of normal blood pressure, according to a study by the University of Southern California (USC).
Despite this, the majority of these individuals are overly confident in their understanding of blood pressure readings.
This study, recently published in Medical Decision Making, sheds light on this critical public health issue.
Understanding Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is expressed in two numbers: systolic blood pressure (top number) measures pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, while diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) measures the pressure during the resting period between heartbeats.
The American Heart Association categorizes blood pressure into five stages:
- Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Elevated: 120-129/80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80-89 mm Hg
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140 or higher/90 or higher mm Hg
- Hypertensive Crisis: Higher than 180/higher than 120 mm Hg
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition, with nearly half of U.S. adults being affected.
If left unmanaged, hypertension can damage blood vessels, increase heart failure risk, and lead to other health complications, particularly in those with heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.
Confidence Versus Knowledge
The USC study surveyed 6,592 U.S. adults and found that nearly two-thirds of respondents did not know the upper threshold for normal blood pressure.
Interestingly, even though the majority of survey participants failed to identify the correct blood pressure readings for a healthy individual, most were quite confident in their understanding of blood pressure thresholds.
This overconfidence might inadvertently discourage individuals from seeking medical attention for stage 1 hypertension, as the study showed that respondents who were confident were more likely to act on stage 2 hypertension readings but less likely to act on stage 1 readings.
Conclusion
To curb the tide of hypertension and its associated complications, researchers advocate for effective patient education on blood pressure levels and recommended lifestyle changes and treatments.
The findings underscore the need to bridge the knowledge gap about blood pressure and its health implications.
By empowering individuals with accurate knowledge about blood pressure, healthcare providers can support them in making informed decisions about their health.
The researchers also recommended further readings about high blood pressure, including studies about the impact of vitamin D on blood pressure in people with diabetes, how black tea may significantly reduce blood pressure, and the potential risks associated with certain blood pressure medications.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about how fasting may help reverse high blood pressure, and how to eat less salt to protect your blood pressure and heart health.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about new suggestions for treating high blood pressure, and results showing lack of zinc may increase the risk of high blood pressure.
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