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Why should I worry about high blood pressure? It's a term used widely but what is hypertension or high blood pressure? Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition that will catch up with most people who live into older age. Blood pressure is the force of blood pressing against the walls of the arteries. When it's too high, it raises the heart's workload and can cause serious damage to the arteries. Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers. The upper reading, known as the systolic pressure, measures that force as the heart contracts and pushes blood out of its chambers. The lower reading, known as diastolic pressure, measures that force as the heart relaxes between contractions. Adult blood pressure is considered normal if it is less than 140/90. What are the dangers of high blood pressure? One of the most dangerous aspects of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. In fact, nearly one-third of people who have high blood pressure don't know it. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is through regular checkups. This is especially important if you have a close relative who has high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for, including: ● Severe headache ● Fatigue or confusion ● Vision problems ● Chest pain ● Difficulty breathing ● Irregular heartbeat ● Blood in the urine ● Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. There are things that you can do to lower your blood pressure. We'll explain what they are in our next column. If you have a health question you'd like answered in this column, contact Tina Moore, APRN, FNP-C, at our Lexington practice office by email at timoore@rodgershealth.org. "Healthy People in a Healthy Community" Career Opportunities Available! Dental Assistant – Waverly, MO Licensed Master Social Worker – Lexington, MO Registered Nurse – Lexington, MO Medical Assistant – Concordia, MO Compensation based on education and experience. Qualified individuals may send resumes to: Heidi@hccnetwork.org Advertise With accessHealth! Ask us about print & digital media rates. Call 660.259.3700 for details.