Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the most common medical problems in our community. Almost half the adults in the United States have high blood pressure (CDC). Unfortunately, high blood pressure is considered a silent killer. High blood pressure can lead to increased stress on the body, especially the heart and brain, causing heart attacks and strokes, which are leading cause of death in the United States (CDC).
At base, high blood pressure is when the tension on the blood vessels is high causing extra stress on the blood vessels, both arteries and veins, and extra stress on the body’s organs. More formally, high blood pressure is determined when the systolic blood pressure is greater than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure is greater than 80 mmHg for more than two separate readings measured at least four hours apart. Systolic blood pressure is the blood pressure when your heart beats and diastolic blood pressure is the blood pressure between heartbeats.
Blood pressure constantly fluctuates during the day depending on the time of day, fluid shifts, stress and more. The body needs a base level of blood pressure to get blood to different parts of the body, from our brain to our toes, but too much pressure can cause complications and organ damage. Like in a garden, there is a good level of water pressure that makes it easy to water the flowers, but too much water pressure can cause damage to the flowers, just like too much blood pressure can cause harm to organs.
For some, high blood pressure is diagnosed with no symptoms, only through routine blood pressure checks during office visits. But others may have symptoms like headaches, fatigue, vision problems, dizziness, or chest pain which cause them to not feel well and get evaluated by a doctor, sometimes in an emergency room if severe. Blood pressure is controlled by regular physical activity, a low salt diet, and sometimes by taking medications. For most people, their blood pressure goal is less than 130/80 mmHg and changes depending on their age and other medical problems.
Persistently uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney disease, including dialysis. It also makes blood pressure more difficult to control in the future, requiring more medications and lifestyle changes. Blood pressure control is important and can sometimes be hard for many reasons including misunderstanding the disease or not taking medications.
High blood pressure can happen to anyone! Children, youth, adults and older adults are diagnosed with high blood pressure every day. High blood pressure is linked to family history, eating habits, being overweight. and more as it continues to cause health challenges.
Some advice to those with high blood pressure includes;
- Individuals should not ignore high blood pressure readings
- Some people have high blood pressure with no signs or symptoms.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure causes harm and damage multiple organs, causing complications and long-term injuries.
- The longer blood pressure goes uncontrolled can lead to increased need for more medications to help control the blood pressure.
- High blood pressure can cause strokes, heart attacks, and kidney disease.
May is High Blood Pressure Month and it is important to build more awareness about how high blood pressure impacts our community. Black Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, and a majority of Black Americans have uncontrolled high blood pressure. With heart disease, strokes and kidney disease also having high prevalence in the Black community, it all is connected, and each step to a healthier tomorrow is beneficial.
Dr. Aisha Harris is a Flint native and board-certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health in Flint, Michigan where she cares for adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com. Feel free to submit health questions to Dr Harris via theflintcourier@gmail.com.
