Know your numbers: Blood Pressure

Want to start the New Year off right? Take some time to learn about the numbers that contribute to your heart (and overall) health: blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar. Once you know, make a plan with your cardiologist, family physician or other care provider to do something about your numbers.

BLOOD PRESSURE

You can have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and not know it. Nonetheless, the condition could be wreaking havoc throughout your body … affecting your heart, brain, kidneys, peripheral vascular system and more.

The only way to know whether your blood pressure is high is to have it measured accurately (the blood pressure machines at the grocery shouldn’t be your only source of measurement). Further, both the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend that blood pressure be measured at least twice and the average of all readings be used.

Is your blood pressure high? Here are the latest guidelines:

• NORMAL – Readings less than 120 (top) and less than 80 (bottom).
• ELEVATED – Readings between 120 and 129 (top) and less than 80 (bottom).
• STAGE 1 – Readings of 130-139 (top) and 80 to 89 (bottom).
• STAGE 2 – Readings of 140 or greater (top) and 90 or greater (bottom).
• HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS – Readings that suddenly exceed 180/120 are considered a hypertensive crisis and require medical attention. If the readings are accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, changes in vision, or difficulty speaking, call 9-1-1 immediately.

High blood pressure increases your risk for a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including stroke, heart disease, angina, heart attack, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and eyesight.

Do you know what your blood pressure?

King’s Daughters Cardiology can help you manage your blood pressure while working with you on your other numbers. Our team of board-certified cardiologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants see patients throughout the region. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our main office at (606) 324-4745. With offices located in Ashland, Grayson, Inez, Louisa, Prestonsburg, Sandy Hook and Vanceburg, Ky., and Portsmouth, Ironton and Jackson, Ohio, we make it easy for you to receive the world-class heart care you deserve.