We can all appreciate how complex and miraculous our bodies are, but we often can take them for granted during a normal day. We rely on them to take care of us when we rush off to work, make dinner, get in our morning run and even to settle on the couch after a long day.

We can also assume that our bodies will tell us if something is wrong through symptoms or a change in our normal activity. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Conditions like high blood pressure can exist without causing any symptoms and can actually be dangerous or even deadly.

Our AFC Urgent Care Boulder team explains more about high blood pressure and how to keep yours in check, so read on to learn more.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Our different organs and bodily systems need a constant source of fresh blood in order to work properly, and your heart needs to create pressure in order to force that blood through your blood vessels. A blood pressure reading explains the force that your heart is exerting in order to get your blood through your body. A regular blood pressure reads ¹²⁰⁄₈₀ mm Hg or lower.

Your blood pressure should hover at this range on a daily basis. While a temporary spike in blood pressure can be associated with stress or something similar, it should stay around this baseline. If it starts to creep up consistently, you can develop an elevated blood pressure. That reading ranges from 120–129 mm Hg, but the bottom number is still below 80 mm Hg. If it continues to climb, high blood pressure, or hypertension can be diagnosed. This occurs when your blood pressure consistently reads in the ¹³⁰⁄₈₀ mm Hg range or higher.

Reasons for Hypertension in Adults

• Being overweight
• Having a high sodium diet
• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine
• Being under a lot of stress

Why Is Hypertension So Dangerous?

Hypertension is often called the silent killer because you can have it without experiencing any negative side effects. Your heart will continue having to work in overtime to keep your blood flowing, and your heart will eventually start to suffer as a result. Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts a strain on your heart as well as your artery walls, which can lead to blockages or bursts. These situations can quickly turn into medical emergencies without much warning.

Chronic high blood pressure can also strain your heart enough to cause a heart attack or stroke. This risk goes up as you get older, especially if you don’t know you have high blood pressure or do nothing to lower it. Lifestyle changes and blood pressure medication can help you lower your blood pressure to keep it at safer levels.

Ways to Reliably Drop Your Blood Pressure

• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a well-rounded diet and limit your salt intake.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Quit smoking.
• Prioritize getting proper sleep every night.

We are here to help you feel better. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Boulder any day of the week.