Hypertension is a disease of the elderly, then why worry about it at an early age? Are you one of those people who have such an understanding of hypertension? We regret to tell you that this is not the case. Hypertension can knock at your door at any age. Today, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are significant causes of death among India’s elderly and young adults.
Hypertension is a silent killer. It shows no signs or symptoms. The only way to avert the possibility of Hypertension is to keep a check on your blood pressure levels. Doing so will help reduce heart health risks and lead a hypertension-free life.
In this blog, we’ll discuss all you need to know to check your blood pressure correctly and keep Hypertension at bay!
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic health condition where the blood flowing through the arteries exerts pressure on its walls. Living a stressful life, being inactive, and not taking care of your health push a person to the verge of developing high blood pressure.
Many people think there is no escape from this lifestyle condition. Fortunately, that’s not true. Though there is no cure for hypertension, it is possible to manage it by correcting your lifestyle habits. You are required to take certain medications only if it is challenging to keep your BP levels in check with lifestyle modifications.
What are the different stages of Hypertension?
There are four different stages of Hypertension based on your blood pressure readings. Every stage needs a different treatment approach to manage BP effectively.
Normal Blood Pressure – When your systolic pressure is less than 120mmHg, and diastolic pressure is less than 80mmHg.
Elevated Blood Pressure – When the systolic pressure is between 120-129mmHg, and diastolic pressure is less than 80mmHg.
Stage 1 Hypertension- When the systolic pressure is between 140 and 159mmHg, and diastolic pressure is between 90 and 99mmHg.
Stage 2 Hypertension- When the systolic pressure is 160mmHg or higher, and diastolic pressure is 100mmHg or higher.
You are perfectly healthy if your blood pressure is in the normal range. All you need to do is follow healthy lifestyle habits and monitor your BP levels often. If you have elevated blood pressure or stage 1 or stage 2 Hypertension, you’ll need to take some medicines and follow a lifestyle suggested by your doctor to help reduce the risks of heart disease and keep your BP in control.
How often should you get your BP checked?
As mentioned earlier, Hypertension is not limited to only the elderly. It can affect your health at any age. Therefore, it is recommended that you must take charge of your health at 18.
People in their early 20s and older with normal blood pressure should take a blood pressure test every 2 to 5 years. Furthermore, people 40 years and above must take a blood pressure test yearly.
On the other hand, hypertensive patients must check their BP twice a day, irrespective of their age. It is advised that if you have hypertension, you must check your blood pressure in the morning before eating or taking your medications and again in the evening. Every time you measure your blood pressure, take the reading two to three times to ensure they are the same. Additionally, monitoring your blood pressure at a specific time each day is recommended. For instance, if you check your BP at 8 am and 5 pm, stick to these timing always.
What are different ways of monitoring your BP?
If you think keeping a check on your BP levels will require you to visit a doctor, you can take a sigh of relief. You can monitor your BP levels even at home.
It is always better to visit a doctor to monitor your BP levels. He helps you get correct readings and assess your overall health. It enables you to get a clear picture of your treatment progress. But the thought of visiting a doctor is not very pleasing for many. As a result, they experience a spike in BP levels. This situation where there is a spike in BP levels when you visit a doctor is called white coat syndrome.
If you have white coat syndrome, then at-home monitoring is the best way to measure your blood pressure. Before you begin monitoring blood pressure at home, ensure that you learn how to use the device and understand all its dos and don’ts. Ask your doctor to demonstrate how to do a blood pressure test at home. Also, make sure you communicate the reading to your doctor so that he can track your progress correctly.
Take charge of your health at an early age!
Dealing with Hypertension is not tough; it is just challenging. As it requires people to change their lifestyle, they think there is no way out of it. Some ways can help manage it effectively and live your life like a healthy person. You must trust your doctor, follow his instructions, take medicines on time, and measure your blood pressure often. It is all about replacing bad lifestyle habits with healthier ones.