Blood Pressure and Why Is It Important?

February is National Heart Month and your blood pressure plays a large role in heart health.

Every second of every day your heart flows blood throughout your body.  Your blood pressure is responsible for the force that sends that blood on its way.  The blood flows to your arteries and your tissues and cells.

For this reason your blood pressure is very important to your overall health.  High blood pressure raises many risk factors. 

According to the American Heart Association there are five levels in blood pressure readings.

• Normal readings are less than 120/80.
• Elevated pressure is 120-129/80 (or less than 80)
• Hypertension 1 reads 130-139/80-89
• Hypertension 2 has consistent blood pressure of 140/90 or higher
• Hypertensive crisis is the final stage.  Readings are 180/120 or higher.  Immediate medical attention is needed as the high readings could cause organ damage. 

If your readings are normal, keep them that way by eating healthy, exercising regularly, not smoking and watching your stress level.

For elevated blood pressure, it’s important to be monitored by a medical professional.  As blood pressure increases so do the possible health issues.

Over time your arteries can become damaged because they can narrow causing less blood to flow through them. This can lead to coronary heart disease.

Additionally, other issues to your heart can include heart failure, an enlarged heart.  High blood pressure can also lead to stroke or diabetes.  Your kidney and eyes are two other areas that can be affected by prolonged elevated blood pressure.

There are many important aspects of heart health and your blood pressure is one key area.  It’s important as you age to have check ins with your doctor to have your blood pressure checked.

Private Home Health Care believes in regular checks on blood pressure for anyone over the age of 50.  Your heart needs attention for your well being, physically and emotionally.

#NationalHeartMonth