When it comes to preventing heart diseases, blood pressure—the control tower of our body’s health—cannot be overlooked.
Understanding what those blood pressure numbers mean and keeping them in check is not just a routine part of your doctor’s appointment—it’s a vital element to the well-being of your heart.
When these numbers exceed the normal range (usually above 120/80 mm Hg), it’s a warning to take action.
What does it mean to have Hypertension (high blood pressure)?
To understand high blood pressure better, imagine a garden hose; if the water pressure is too high, the hose can rupture. Similarly, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage our arteries, paving way for the onset of heart diseases.
This relentless pressure on your artery walls can lead to the weakening and damage of your heart and is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
What are the risks associated with it?
The increased risk of heart disease due to uncontrolled hypertension is not an overstatement. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood.
Over time, this strain can lead to coronary artery disease, an enlarged heart, or even heart failure. Though hidden and deceptive, this ‘silent killer’ inevitably reveals its presence through typical symptoms.
What can you do?
Knowing is half the battle.
Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, moderation in alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking can contribute greatly to not only lowering but controlling blood pressure. For some, medication might also be necessary to tame that pressure.
And the results? They can be nothing short of miraculous. Controlling blood pressure isn’t a one-and-done deal—it’s a lifelong commitment to your heart health.
Either through the adoption of a heart-friendly lifestyle or the help of vital medications, keep those numbers in a healthy range.
Your heart—that relentless engine within you—will thank you with years of healthy beats!