Maintaining Blood Pressure is Important for Good Health
 hy is it so important to keep your blood pressure under control? "When blood pressure becomes elevated, over time it causes adverse effects to the heart, vessels, brain, and kidneys," says Ronald Pack, M.D., a specialist in internal medicine. "Left untreated, the risk of kidney failure, stroke, and heart disease greatly increases."
 Blood pressure is the amount of force created as the heart pumps blood, moving it through the arteries. For some people, their blood pressure registers at an elevated level, a condition known as hypertension or high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because usually there are no symptoms to alert sufferers of the disease. A number of factors play a role in the development of the disease, however. They include:
- family history
- being overweight
- inactive lifestyle
- high cholesterol levels
- smoking
- age, gender, and race
- diabetes
- pregnancy
Measurement of blood pressure involves a quick and simple procedure that can be done in your doctor's office, at home, health screenings, or a neighborhood drugstore. Readings of systolic and diastolic pressure are taken with a special gauge and a stethoscope. A reading of 120/80 (systolic/diastolic) or lower is considered normal and optimal. If your blood pressure measures 140/90 or higher consistently, you may have hypertension and should see your doctor for complete diagnosis.
"If blood pressure is persistently elevated to 140/90 or higher, it is time to consider treatment," Dr. Pack explains. "The risks are there even at 130/85, though they are small."
Diagnosis of hypertension involves recording and monitoring your blood pressure over time to discover a pattern of elevated measurements. Once diagnosed with hypertension, you must work with your doctor to determine the best treatment. Depending on the severity of your hypertension, several options are available. If drug therapy is deemed necessary, you may have to try more than one type of medication to evaluate the effectiveness and susceptibility to side effects.
Treatments your doctor may recommend include:
- diet modifications, including avoidance of alcohol and foods high in fat and sodium
- exercise
- stress management
- weight loss
- medication
If you have high blood pressure, the most important things you can do for your health are to follow the advice of your doctor and stay on your medication even if you are feeling fine.
"Treating high blood pressure can prevent other diseases, health problems, and even death," Dr. Pack says. For more information, contact your primary care physician.
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