High Blood Pressure
Landisville Family Health Center

Systolic / Diastolic	Indication that you...
120 / 80 or less	Have normal blood pressure
120-140 / 80-90	Have “pre-hypertension”
140 / 90 or greater	Have hypertension and need to be treated

What You Should Know

High blood pressure is a very common condition in American adults. High blood pressure, or hypertension, puts you at risk for stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.

The problem with hypertension is that it usually has no symptoms at all. That’s why your doctor checks your blood pressure at every visit—it is one of the cheapest and easiest screening tools for disease that we have.

Blood pressure is really two measurements. The first number is the “systolic” blood pressure, which is the peak pressure when your heart is squeezing to pump blood out. The second number is the “diastolic” blood pressure, when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood.

The goal for your blood pressure, if you are a healthy adult, is 120/80 or less. Both numbers must be below this.

The term “pre-hypertension” is a relatively new one. Recent research found that most people in this zone would eventually go on to develop hypertension, so they needed to be followed closely by their doctor to ensure treatment can be started. Remember, there are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a completely treatable condition. Treatment begins with changes you can make to your lifestyle, including:

• Don’t smoke cigarettes or use any tobacco product. There is no safe cigarette, nor is there a safe level of tobacco use.
• Lose weight if you are overweight. This is challenging for everyone, and is a significant lifestyle change for most of us.
• Exercise three times a week for 20-30 minutes at a time. You don’t need to take up marathon running, just start walking three times a week.
• Eat a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat. Unfortunately, fat is what makes our food taste good. It will take about six weeks of a low fat diet for you to really enjoy it.
• Limit your salt, alcohol and caffeine intake. One to two ounces of alcohol a day (1-2 beers, glasses of wine, or mixed drinks) is safe for most people, but speak with your doctor about your situation.
• Work to reduce the stress in your life, if possible, and consider seeking help to do that if appropriate.

There are excellent programs available through the Wellness Center at the Lancaster General Health Campus if you need help in any of these areas.

If lifestyle changes fail to get your blood pressure to the desire goal, a medication may be required. Fortunately, we have a number of very safe medications with very few side effects. If cost is a consideration, let your doctor know that, so that a generic medication (which is just as effective and which may be cheaper) may be prescribed. If you are prescribed a medication, you will probably need to take it for the rest of your life, since hypertension is a life-long condition.

Working as partners, you and your doctor can control your blood pressure and greatly minimize your risk for heart attack and stroke.