From the Extension: 4-Week Series Offers Tips on Managing Blood Pressure – News – Daily Commercial

Have you ever been told that you have high blood pressure or high blood pressure?

If so, you are not alone. According to the American Heart Association, about half of the American adult population suffers from hypertension. High blood pressure or high blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure in the blood vessels is constantly high. He is known as the silent killer because there are few or no symptoms. Have your blood pressure checked regularly to see if you are at risk or if you have high blood pressure.

Do you know your numbers?

The American Heart Association has characterized the blood pressure ranges into five different categories. The normal range is considered less than 120/88 mm Hg. Elevation or prehypertension ranges from 120 to 129 systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic. Hypertension Stage 1 is 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mmHg diastolic. Hypertension The stage 2 is when your blood pressure is constantly at 140/99 mmHg or higher. The fifth range is hypertensive crisis, when your blood pressure is above 180/120 mmHg. Systolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure your blood exerts on the walls when your heart is beating. Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure your blood exerts on the walls while the heart sits between beats. Allow a health professional to make a real diagnosis.

What are the risk factors?

Several factors can expose you to high blood pressure. Risk factors are divided into two groups, which are not controllable and controllable.

Uncontrollable risk factors are variables that you can not change such as family history, age, gender, and race. If you have relatives, siblings or other closely related family members who are suffering from high blood pressure, you may be at risk. As we age, our blood vessels lose their elasticity, which puts us in danger. Gender is an uncontrollable factor. Men are more likely to suffer from hypertension until the age of 64. At age 65 and over, women are at higher risk. As a rule, African Americans develop higher blood pressure than any other racial origin in the United States.

Controllable or modifiable risk factors are variables that we can change to reduce our risk or manage our blood pressure. These factors include lack of physical activity, poor diet, high sodium intake, being overweight or obese, high alcohol consumption, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and stress.

Do you want to learn how to reduce your risk and manage your blood pressure?

The adoption and modification of healthy lifestyles can reduce your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, heart failure and many other health problems .

Join us for the Manage your Blood Pressure program, a four-week series at the Lake County Extension Center starting October 8th. Every Monday from 10am to noon. The program includes prints, gifts and heart healthy samples. Registration for the $ 15 series is at https://fcslake.eventbrite.com or at 352-343-4101, ext. 2721.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, but awareness, prevention and proper management are essential to reduce our risk.

Mia Wilchcombe is the Family and Consumer Science Officer at the UF / IFAS Lake County Extension Center.