What habits do you have that help you avoid the leading causes of death? Always wearing a seatbelt in the car is a great one. So is wearing a helmet when you ride a bike. But did you know that heart disease kills more people in the U.S. than car crashes and other types of accidents? It’s the number one cause of death in the U.S., killing more people than cancer, Alzheimer’s and other types of chronic illnesses. With this in mind, taking precautions to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease is just as important as wearing your seatbelt—and blood pressure management is a key part of that. Having high blood pressure can lead to heart disease because it forces the heart to pump harder. This weakens the heart over time. Have you ever had circumstances in your job that created a high-pressure environment, forcing you to work harder? It’s manageable for a little while, but eventually you’ll want to quit, right? Having high blood pressure is similar; the heart can work harder for a while, but eventually it reaches a breaking point.When it comes to managing blood pressure, there’s one mistake that cardiologists are begging people to quit making. If you don’t, it could cost you your life.?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
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According to cardiologists we talked to, one of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to blood pressure is assuming they’ll have symptoms. “High blood pressure is often called ‘the silent killer’ because it usually does not cause symptoms and can go undetected for a long time while silently causing damage to the cardiovascular system,” says Dr. Fahmi Farah, MD, a cardiologist with Bentley Health in Fort Worth, Texas.Dr. Tracy Paeschke, MD, a preventive cardiologist with Heart Health Prevention and Wellness, agrees, explaining that people can have high blood pressure for years without even knowing. The lack of symptoms is exactly why one in three adults in the U.S. with high blood pressure don’t know they have it.
Related: 'I'm a Cardiologist—Here's How To Know When You Should Go on Blood Pressure Medication'
When left ignored, high blood pressure can have deadly consequences. “High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for both heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Farah says.
She explains that it silently damages the blood vessels and increases the risk of many types of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure and arrhythmias and aneurysm. “High blood pressure is estimated to cause almost half of all heart attacks and strokes,” Dr. Paeschke adds.
On top of that, Dr. Paeschke says that high blood pressure can also negatively impact the kidneys, brain and even the eyes.
Related: The One Habit That Can Lower Your Blood Pressure Overnight, According to a Cardiologist
How To Know if You Have High Blood Pressure—and What To Do About It if You Do
Since high blood pressure doesn’t have any symptoms, how can you know if you have it? “The best way is to check blood pressure at home and to keep up with routine doctor's visits where blood pressure is checked,” Dr. Farah says. If you’re of average health, she recommends checking your blood pressure a few times a month at home, if possible.
“Blood pressure should be one of those health numbers everyone should know. Just like we know our weight and our cholesterol, we should know our blood pressure,” Dr. Paeschke shares, adding that she recommends owning a home blood pressure monitor so it can be regularly checked.
Related: Cardiologists Are Begging You to Never Skip One Thing When Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home
To properly check your blood pressure at home, Dr. Paeschke says to relax and sit with your feet resting on the floor. Refrain from talking while you check your blood pressure and make sure your bladder is empty. (Having to pee can raise blood pressure.) Rest your arm on a table while you take the reading. If your blood pressure is averaging greater than 120/80, Dr. Paeschke suggests seeing your doctor.
In addition to knowing your numbers, other important ways to manage blood pressure include following a low-sodium, heart-healthy eating plan (the DASH diet was specifically formulated to lower blood pressure), getting regular aerobic exercise (the American Heart Association recommends aiming for at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week), consistently getting good sleep and having habits in place that help manage stress. If you do have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe you blood pressure-lowering medication.
“High blood pressure is easily treatable and the sooner it is detected and treated, the better chance of preventing all the complications associated with it,” Dr. Farah says. Dr. Paeschke adds to this, saying, “The good news is that high BP is preventable and treatable.”
When it comes to managing blood pressure, the worst action you can take is none at all. Consider this your sign to learn what your blood pressure numbers are. It’s the first step toward avoiding the country’s number one cause of death.
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Sources:
Leading Causes of Death. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionHealth Threats from High Blood Pressure. American Heart AssociationDr. Fahmi Farah, MD, cardiologist with Bentley Health in Fort Worth, TexasDr. Tracy Paeschke, MD, preventive cardiologist with Heart Health Prevention and WellnessWhat Is High Blood Pressure? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart AssociationHence then, the article about the common blood pressure mistake cardiologists are begging people to avoid was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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