Knowing Your Blood Pressure

Why it matters for your health  

St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Blood pressure might not be something you think about often, but it plays a huge role in your overall health. Known as the "silent killer," high blood pressure (or hypertension) can sneak up on you, leading to serious issues like heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Understanding your blood pressure and keeping it in check is crucial for staying healthy.

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It’s measured in two numbers:

·      Systolic pressure (the top number) measures the force when your heart beats.

·      Diastolic pressure (the bottom number) measures the force when your heart rests between beats.

A normal reading is typically around 120/80 mmHg. If your numbers are consistently higher, you might have hypertension. If they're too low, it could be hypotension. Both can affect your health.

dr. Carine Basmadjian/Cardiologist 

“High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, which remains the number one cause of death around the world,” explained Dr. Carine Basmadjian, a cardiologist with Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. “High blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart and arteries, making them work harder than they should.”

Over time, this can lead to serious problems like:

·      Heart Disease: Your heart can become overworked, leading to heart failure.

·      Heart Attacks and Strokes: High blood pressure can cause arteries to harden and narrow, increasing the risk of these life-threatening events.

Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range helps your heart stay strong and reduces the risk of these problems.

High blood pressure doesn’t just affect your heart. It can impact other parts of your body too:

·      Kidneys: It can damage the arteries in your kidneys, leading to kidney disease.

·      Eyes: High blood pressure can cause vision problems and even blindness.

·      Brain: There’s a link between hypertension and cognitive decline, including dementia.

Maintaining healthy blood pressure helps protect these vital organs and keeps you feeling your best.

Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, regular checks are the only way to know if yours is too high. Adults should get their blood pressure checked at least once every two years if it's normal, and more often if it's elevated or if you have risk factors for hypertension.

“You can check your blood pressure at home with an easy-to-use monitor, or many pharmacies and clinics also offer free or low-cost blood pressure checks,” said Dr. Basmadjian. “Knowing your numbers allows you to take action early and avoid complications.”

Simple Ways to Manage Your Blood Pressure

“If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, several lifestyle changes can help manage and reduce it. These include maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco use,” advised Dr. Basmadjian.

If your blood pressure is high, consider these lifestyle adjustments:

·      Eat a Healthy Diet: Focus on fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and cut back on salt.

·      Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days.

·      Manage Stress: Find healthy ways to relax, like meditation or deep breathing.

·      Limit Alcohol and Avoid Tobacco: Both can raise your blood pressure.

Sometimes, medication is needed to help control blood pressure. Always follow your doctor’s advice and take medications as prescribed.

Knowing your blood pressure and keeping it in a healthy range is key to preventing serious health problems. By staying informed and making small lifestyle changes, you can protect your heart, brain and overall health. 

More from the Experts at St. Vincent Regional Hospital

About St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Founded on our mission of compassionate care 125 years ago, St. Vincent Regional Hospital, part of Intermountain Health, has grown into one of Montana’s largest comprehensive hospitals, serving the healthcare needs of over 400,000 people in our four-state area. Continuing to respond to the needs of our community, we have been recognized as an innovator in trauma, heart, neurological and cancer care. At St. Vincent and Intermountain Health, our 12 primary care clinics, and specialty clinics in and around the Billings area, our goal is to help you live the healthiest lives possible. This also includes caring for the region's youngest patients. We opened the region's first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staffed 24/7 by Pediatric Intensivists and the only Pediatric Surgery program serving eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and the western Dakotas.