major role in this statistic.
Increasing age, family history, health conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes, and gender also can affect hypertension risk. Until they reach 64, men are at higher risk than women. That reverses at 65 and beyond.
It’s treatable.
The good news, Choudhry says, is hypertension is treatable, regardless of which number is too high. The treatment is the same for each.
Making lifestyle changes is the first step, Jackson says. This can include losing weight if needed, becoming more physically active, limiting alcohol consumption, managing stress, quitting smoking if the person smokes and eating a healthier diet.
“Keep processed foods to a minimum,” she adds. “We know they can be high in sugar and salt. Make your plate colorful by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables.”
It’s also important to get enough and good quality sleep, Jackson notes. The AHA recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night to optimize cardiovascular health, more for children depending on age.
RELATED: Children Can Have High Blood Pressure, Too. Here’s What to Know.
If lifestyle changes alone don’t do the trick, medications also may be needed, Choudhry says.
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What about low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure is less common but still dangerous, Choudhry adds. It can happen when people are overtreated with medication for hypertension or when people are dehydrated or have another illness.
Unlike with high blood pressure, people whose blood pressure drops too low will usually feel ill, he says. “They’ll get dizzy or lightheaded. The treatment is dependent upon the underlying cause.”
But what’s too low for one person may be perfectly fine for another, Jackson shares. “It really is tailored to what the person’s other conditions are.”
None of these conditions can be treated if blood pressure isn’t being checked regularly, she concludes. “That’s why it’s important to know those numbers.”
By the American Heart Association