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Why Is High Blood Pressure Bad for You?

Your blood pressure results are always given with two numbers: the higher, or top number (systolic) measures the pressure as your heart contracts. The bottom, or lower number (diastolic) measures the pressure in the period between heart beats. Having hypertension (high blood pressure) puts you at increased risk of developing cardiac complications.

  1. What Is High Blood Pressure?

    • According to the American Heart Association, the optimal blood pressure is a systolic of 120 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or lower, and a diastolic of 80 mmHg or lower. High blood pressure is defined as either a systolic over 140 mmHg or diastolic over 90 mmHg.

    Significance

    • Having high blood pressure makes your heart work harder, which increases your risk of developing an injury to your heart or arteries.

    Associated risks

    • Hypertension increases your risk of developing atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque in your arteries), heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, eye damage and kidney damage.

    Does it need to be treated?

    • If left untreated, high blood pressure will overwork your heart, causing it to both weaken and become enlarged. It also will cause scarring and hardening of your arteries which leads to a decreased supply of blood to your organs (which, in turn, can cause organ damage).

    Treatment

    • Lowering your blood pressure lowers your risk of developing complications. Common treatments include medications like ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, beta-blockers, alpha blockers and diuretics. You will also need to eat a healthy diet and increase your physical activity.

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