Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recognizes National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

Published 6:27 pm Friday, May 6, 2022

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recognizes National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month. Blood pressure is a term we hear at our doctor’s office but understanding what it is and how it affects us can go far beyond those walls. Blood pressure is defined as “the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries.” Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. High blood pressure, or otherwise known as hypertension, is when your blood pressure is higher than normal and is known as a “silent killer” since there are no symptoms or warning signs. Nearly one in every two American adults has high blood pressure and only about a fourth of individuals with high blood pressure have their condition under control. This makes it extremely important that we spread awareness.

Blood pressure is measured by two numbers: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Systolic blood pressure identifies the blood pressure measured in the arteries when the heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure identifies the blood pressure that is measured in between heart beats when the arteries are at rest. An example of how these numbers are read is systolic blood pressure over diastolic blood pressure, for example 117/79 could be read as a blood pressure of 117 over 79. Guidelines set by The American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults categorize blood pressure readings as normal, elevated, high blood pressure stage 1, high blood pressure stage 2 and hypertensive crisis. They are as follows:

– Normal Systolic: Less than 120 mm Hg Diastolic: Less than 80 mm Hg

-Elevated Systolic: 120-129 mm Hg Diastolic: Less than 80 mm Hg

-High Blood Systolic: 130-139 mm Hg or Diastolic: 80-89 mm Hg Pressure Stage 1

-High Blood Systolic: 140 mm Hg or higher or Diastolic: 90 mm Hg or higher Pressure Stage 2

-Hypertensive Systolic: Higher than 180 mm Hg and/or Diastolic: Higher than 120 mm Hg

Crisis

While it is possible for individuals of all ages to have high blood pressure, there are certain risk factors that can increase the chances of having hypertension. Certain risk factors are uncontrollable, such as genetics, age and ethnicity. Controllable risk factors are those that we can play a role in and include eating an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, overconsumption of alcohol and tobacco use. It is vital to understand our risk of high blood pressure as individuals with high blood pressure are at a greater risk of developing conditions associated with the heart, including heart failure and heart attack, as well as stroke, chronic kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes.

There are steps that individuals can take to help prevent or reduce our risk of high blood pressure such as:

• getting sufficient sleep

• limiting alcohol consumption

• eliminating smoking

• keeping weight in a healthy range

• incorporating physical activity at least 150 minutes weekly

• eating healthy well-balanced meals incorporating different food groups such as vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and protein

For more information about Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family and Community Health programs, contact Claudann Jones, Smith County Extension Agent for Family and Community Health at 903-590-2980 or email at cmjones@ag.tamu.edu. Like our Facebook page: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Smith County. Stay well and stay safe.