Issue 41.14
Based off the latest statistics from the Center for Disease Control, National Vital Statistics 2011, the number one cause of death in the United States is still Heart Disease. What most people fail to realize is one of the main contributors to heart disease is high blood pressure.
So many patients try to diminish their blood pressure being elevated. Although a number of factors can contribute to high blood pressure such as stress, anxiety, caffeine intake, cigarette smoking, and pain, if your blood pressure is staying elevated more than half of the time then it needs to be treated. Having elevated blood pressure not only contributes to heart disease (risk of having a heart attack) but can also contribute to congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and peripheral arterial disease where you get decreased flow of blood to your extremities.
Ideally, for the general population, blood pressure should be at least <140/90 per the Eighth Joint National Committee on Hypertension. If you have high risk factors such as already having a heart attack or diabetes, your goals may need to be even lower. For those over the age of 60, it is acceptable to keep blood pressure <150/90. However, even small changes in blood pressure reduction have shown significant improvement in life expectancy and decreasing risk of further disease.
If you feel you need help in getting your blood pressure down to prevent heart disease, you can see Karen Radley, MD, a family physician, by scheduling an appointment by calling 435-673-9653.