How old is bp

Excess weight—and especially excess fat stored in your abdomen—can raise blood pressure by increasing your blood volume and by changing the balance of pressure-regulating hormones. Cut back on alcohol. Move more. Exercise and other kinds of physical activity help keep arteries flexible and also reduce activity in the sympathetic nervous system , which can tighten blood vessels and boost blood pressure.

If you already have high blood pressure, regular exercise alone could lower your numbers by 8 to 10 points, according to the American Heart Association. Feed healthy blood pressure. The minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium found in low-fat and fat-free dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, as well as in produce and dried beans help your body regulate blood pressure.

Too little can raise your blood pressure. So can high amounts of sodium—found in many processed foods—by making your body retain water which boosts blood volume and even tightening small blood vessels. Saturated fat found in meat, cheese, butter, full-fat dairy products and many processed foods may also raise blood pressure. Quit smoking.

Smoking damages arteries and raises the risk of heart disease. Soothe stress. One technique, meditation, has been shown to reduce the risk for heart attacks and strokes in people with high blood pressure. To bring your high blood pressure down to a healthy level, your doctor will likely recommend healthy lifestyle changes, medication or both. Losing 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight, reducing sodium, improving your diet and exercising regularly will usually result in a lowering of your blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is higher, your doctor will still recommend these changes along with blood pressure medications. You may need medications that work on several different mechanisms to bring your blood pressure down. Or your doctor may be able to give you lower medication doses, and reduce the chances for side effects, by combining two or three medications. Your doctor may increase your dose gradually. Report side effects. He or she may be able to make adjustments or switch your medication.

Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in the Health Library. Advertiser Disclosure. By Jessica Booth. Medically Reviewed Dr. Bojana Jankovic Weatherly is an internal and integrative medicine physician with a telemedicine practice serving patients nationwide.

Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the Forbes Health Advisory Board. Getty Creative. What Causes Low Blood Pressure? Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes.

All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team. What Is Blood Pressure? Systolic Blood Pressure Systolic blood pressure measures how much pressure your blood exerts against your artery walls. Find a Cardiologist Near You Zocdoc helps you find and book top-rated doctors, on demand.

Cardiologist Near Me. Normal People with a blood pressure range of 90 to systolic and 60 to 80 diastolic have normal blood pressure, says Dr. Elevated A blood pressure reading of to systolic and less than 80 diastolic signifies elevated blood pressure and, thus, a higher probability of developing hypertension. Hypertensive Crisis A hypertensive crisis is an emergency situation and occurs when the systolic blood pressure reading exceeds and the diastolic reading exceeds Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Gain portability without compromising accuracy.

Compare Wrist Monitors. He recommends: Limiting your salt intake to 2. Completing minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Limiting your alcohol intake. Healthier drinking habits just a friendly text away. Give Noom a try. Buy Now on Amazon. How can I lower my blood pressure? When is low blood pressure an emergency?

Footnotes Virani S, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics - update. In , almost half of all adults in the U. More men than women, and more Black and Latinx than White people have high blood pressure. There are several risk factors for hypertension, including:. High blood pressure for adults is divided into stages. At each stage, there is a greater risk to your health. A consistent rise in your blood pressure over time comes with an increased risk to your health.

Your healthcare provider is likely to respond in these ways:. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Call if you are also experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, difficulty speaking, a change in vision, weakness, or numbness.

There are several different stages of high blood pressure. As blood pressure rises, the negative impact on your health increases, too. A healthcare provider can recommend treatment for each stage, starting with diet and lifestyle changes and leading to medication options. Blood pressure testing stations can be found in pharmacies, workplaces, and medical clinics.

You can also buy a blood pressure monitor online or at your local pharmacy. To measure blood pressure, a cuff attached to a monitor is placed on your arm.

The cuff is then inflated with an air pump until its pressure stops blood flow from your brachial artery—the major artery found in your upper arm. As the cuff deflates, the device measures the pressure when blood starts flowing again systolic pressure. Once the cuff is completely deflated, the device gauges the lowest pressure between beats diastolic pressure. Typically, more attention is given to the systolic pressure reading, as systolic blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in people over the age of Still, both readings are used to make a diagnosis.

If you're taking your blood pressure at home, there are certain steps you can take to get the most accurate reading possible. The goal is to measure your blood pressure at its most stable. Hence, it's good practice to rest for five minutes in a calm environment before getting started. The AHA also advises against smoking, exercising, or drinking caffeinated beverages within 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure. Healthcare providers often keep one default cuff in the examining room, which is generally meant to be used for people of "average" height and weight.

If you are larger or smaller than average, the default cuff will not produce an accurate reading, and a more appropriately sized cuff should be used.

Official guidelines specify the following cuff sizes:. Find someplace to sit where your body is well-supported in an upright position and your feet are flat on the ground. Consider sitting at a dinner table, rather than a couch, and relaxing your arm on the tabletop. The cuffed part of your arm should be supported at the same level as your heart.

The bottom of the cuff should be placed just above the bend of your elbow and directly against your skin. Be sure to roll up your sleeves if you are wearing them, and remove any layers that are in the way. One blood pressure reading is not enough to get an accurate measurement.

Anyone can have high blood pressure. Some medical conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, kidney disease, and thyroid problems, can cause high blood pressure. Some people have a greater chance of having it because of things they can't change. These are:. High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms, but routine checks of your blood pressure will help detect increasing levels.

If your blood pressure reading is high at two or more check-ups, the doctor may also ask you to measure your blood pressure at home. Your doctor may work with you to find a blood pressure target that is best for your well-being and may suggest exercise , changes in your diet , and medications. You can often lower your blood pressure by changing your day-to-day habits and by taking medication if needed. Treatment , especially if you have other medical conditions such as diabetes , requires ongoing evaluation and discussions with your doctor.

In addition to recommending lifestyle changes, your doctor will likely prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure to a safe level. Isolated systolic hypertension, the most common form of high blood pressure in older adults, is treated in the same way as regular high blood pressure but may require more than one type of blood pressure medication.