High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common problem for women. More than half of all women over age 55 have high blood pressure. Middle-aged Americans have about a 90 percent chance of developing high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it usually does not cause warning symptoms. It is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard. Over time it hurts your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, brain and eyes. Even slightly high levels increase your risk for these problems. The good news is that you can do something to manage high blood pressure and avoid many serious problems.

• What is blood pressure?
• Blood pressure: How high is too high?
• What are the risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure?
• Can high blood pressure be prevented?
• What if I need medication to control my blood pressure?

What is blood pressure?

As blood is pumped from your heart through your body, the blood puts pressure against the blood vessel walls. Your blood pressure is a measure of this pressure. When the number goes above a certain point, it is called high blood pressure. Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers, such as 110/70. The top number is the systolic blood pressure. It is created by the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The bottom number or diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure in between heartbeats.

Blood pressure changes a lot. Your doctor may check it on several different days before deciding if it is too high. Blood pressure is considered “high” when it stays above normal levels over time.
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Blood pressure: How high is too high?

The recommended blood pressure is 120/80 or less. That means your blood pressure is too high if your top number (systolic blood pressure) is greater than 120 OR if your bottom number (diastolic pressure) is greater than 80. Treatment is recommended even if only one of the numbers is too high.
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What are the risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure?

The cause of high blood pressure is unknown for most people. We do know that certain things make a person more likely to develop high blood pressure. You have control over some of these things, such as eating too much salt or weighing too much. Not exercising and drinking too much alcohol can also increase your chances for high blood pressure.

There are also some things you cannot change. Family history is one of these. High blood pressure tends to run in families. Racial background is another. High blood pressure is more common and worse in African American women than it is in white women. Whether you are male or female also plays a role. Men have a greater risk up until age 55, and then the risk becomes similar for men and women. After age 74, women are more likely than men to have high blood pressure.
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Can high blood pressure be prevented?

You can manage your high blood pressure by:

• Managing your weight or losing weight if you are overweight
• Exercising regularly – 30 minutes a day on most days of the week
• Limiting salt (sodium) to less than 2400 mg a day (1 teaspoon of salt).
• Eating more fruits and vegetables, and low fat or nonfat dairy products
• Limiting amounts of saturated fat and total fat. Eat foods rich in potassium
• Drinking no more than one alcoholic drink a day (women).
• Getting regular blood pressure checks if you are taking birth control pills, estrogen or hormone therapy

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What if I need medication to control my blood pressure?

If your blood pressure remains high even after you make changes in your life, your doctor will probably order medicine. However, the above changes in your life will help the medicine work better and may reduce the amount of medicine that you need.

A reminder: It is important to take medication exactly as your doctor has ordered it. Make sure you understand how much medicine you should take each day and how often before you leave your doctor’s office. Let your doctor know if you notice any side effects.
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