High Blood Pressure Awareness
May is National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month, and Express Care of the Shoals is encouraging you to know your numbers!
When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked?
As a basic guideline, if your blood pressure is typically normal (less than 120/80), get it checked at least every 2 years, or more frequently as your doctor suggests. If your blood pressure is typically borderline high (called prehypertension) – systolic blood pressure (the top number) between 120 and 139 or diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) of 80 to 89 – you should have it checked at least every year, or more often as your doctor suggests. Be aware that a “borderline” reading might be considered too high, depending on other medical issues which you may have. If your reading is 140/90 or higher, you have high blood pressure and need to see a healthcare professional. You may even need to start medication.
Lowering your blood pressure can lower your risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease. So, please, visit or contact Express Care of the Shoals to have your blood pressure checked, and know your numbers.
Keep in mind, as you age, your blood pressure is likely to increase, and you should be checked more often. However, high blood pressure is not a condition which affects only older people. So encourage others of every age to get checked too. Ask your friends if they know their numbers. You could be saving a life!
A severe increase in blood pressure, can create a hypertensive crisis which may lead to a stroke. Extremely high blood pressure — a systolic pressure of 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 120 mm Hg or higher — can damage blood vessels.
Drinking water could help lower blood pressure. In fact, staying adequately hydrated is one of the simplest ways to lower your blood pressure naturally. Learn more about how water and your kidneys can affect your blood pressure in a previous blog post. Discuss your questions and concerns with us. We can help you achieve your goals and keep those important numbers in check!
