You feel good.
You don't have any concerning symptoms,
but could you be living with the medical condition
known as the silent killer? (gentle inspirational music)
A whopping 45% of adults in the United States
are living with hypertension.
That's about 108 million people.
But hypertension doesn't usually cause symptoms.
It's known as the silent killer
because of all the damage it can do within the body
without showing any external signs at all.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure,
happens when your body pumps blood through your arteries
at a pressure that is consistently too high.
If it's left untreated,
hypertension can increase your risk of stroke,
heart, and kidney failure, and other conditions.
The only way to know if you have high blood pressure
is to have your blood pressure taken.
Your blood pressure reading has two numbers.
The top number is your systolic pressure,
the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats
and fills them with blood.
The bottom number is your diastolic pressure,
which measures the pressure in your arteries between beats
when your heart is at rest.
A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80.
Anything between 130/80 and 140/90
is considered stage 1 hypertension,
and should be closely monitored.
Anything higher than that indicates stage 2 hypertension,
and means you should take measures
to lower your blood pressure.
So who's at risk of hypertension?
Some people are at greater risk than others.
You may be at higher risk for hypertension
if you have family history of high blood pressure,
cardiovascular disease, or diabetes.
Other people at high risk for hypertension
include black Americans, people 55 and older,
people who don't get enough exercise,
smokers and heavy drinkers,
and anyone who eats a lot of salty foods.
You've probably had your blood pressure taken
at the doctor's office
when you put your arm into a pressurized cuff,
usually at the start of your appointment.
But you can also check your own blood pressure
using a home blood pressure monitor,
available online and at most pharmacies.
The best time to take your blood pressure
is first thing in the morning
before you take any medications.
Doctors recommend taking your blood pressure
three times in one sitting
to be sure you get an accurate read.
Each time you take your blood pressure,
keep a log of the details, including the average
of all three of your blood pressure readings,
the time of day it was taken,
your heart rate at the time of the reading,
and any other symptoms you're feeling at the time.
Take this log with you
if you need to speak with your doctor about hypertension.
And there's good news, you can make lifestyle changes
that can help lower your blood pressure
and reduce your risk of hypertension.
In addition to regularly testing your blood pressure
with a home monitor, you can manage your blood pressure
with a combination of diet, exercise, and medications.
Eat healthy foods that are low in calories, fat, and salt.
Try to consume fewer than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.
Get more physically active, choosing aerobic activities
like walking, biking, and swimming.
Even simple physical activities
can have an impact on blood pressure.
Quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake.
Having more than one drink a day
can raise your blood pressure.
Work on controlling your anger and managing stress,
which can raise your blood pressure
and contribute to hypertension.
Hypertension can also be managed
with a variety of medications.
To figure out the best medication for you,
your healthcare provider will take into account
any other conditions you have,
including heart or kidney disease,
and any other drugs you're taking.
There's no doubt about it, the silent killer is a scary one.
But with some positive lifestyle changes
and a little bit of guidance from your doctor,
your hypertension can be managed and well controlled.
(gentle music)