Blood Pressure

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure is the force exerted on the artery walls by the blood as the heart pumps it. The pressure increases when the heart contracts, and decreases when the heart relaxes. The pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The contracting pressure is called the “systolic” and normal blood pressure readings vary from 95-140 mmHg. The relaxed pressure is called the “diastolic” and normal blood pressure readings vary from 60-90 mmHg.

The diagnosis of high blood pressure (or hypertension) usually occurs after a student leaves college. Why then should you a college student, be concerned about hypertension? There is a correlation between your daily lifestyle habits and your future health. If you commit yourself now to healthful habits, this will be reflected in your future health. By modifying some lifestyle habits, you may be able to avoid hypertension. The following are lifestyle habits that affect blood pressure and are habits you can control.

What’s in your diet? Are you eating foods high in fats, cholesterol or sodium? Do you salt your food liberally? Are you overweight? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be setting the scene for high blood pressure later in life.
What does exercise really mean to you? Do you only exercise when it’s convenient? Do you consider your daily walk to class a marathon? Many people who have high blood pressure lead a sedentary life. If you make exercise a daily habit in your early years, you may be eliminating a contributing factor to heart disease later in life.
How well do you handle stress? Do you keep inside your feelings of anger and frustration associated with college life (grades, money, relationships)? Excessive stress over a long period may contribute to hypertension and other health problems in some people. Reduction of emotional stress will benefit your health.
How much alcohol do you drink? While some studies indicate that one drink a day may help you relax, excessive alcohol intake can cause your blood pressure to climb. Quit drinking, or cut back to only one drink a day. Reliance on alcohol to reduce stress indicates a drinking problem.
Do you smoke cigarettes? Smoking not only leads to lung cancer and respiratory problems, but also greatly increases a person’s risk for developing heart disease and hypertension. Quit smoking or substantially cut back.

Other factors that can affect blood pressure also need to be considered. Birth control pills can cause high blood pressure in some women. If you are found to have high blood pressure associated with birth control pills, have it checked according to your health care provider’s instructions. Black Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure, and a more severe form, than white Americans. Family history plays a part in the occurrence of high blood pressure. People whose parents had high blood pressure are more likely to develop it than those whose parents did not.

Some people can help control their blood pressure by modifying their lifestyle habits. Others may change their habits and find no reduction in their blood pressure. If your blood pressure can’t be controlled through habit modification, your health care provider may prescribe medication to control it. If medication is required, it is important for you to take it as prescribed. The medication will help to reduce the risk of developing the serious complications of uncontrolled hypertension – heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure continues to be a problem to some degree for more than 60 million Americans. The good news is that more and more people are controlling the problem. As a college student, you can reduce your chances for developing high blood pressure by subscribing to the suggestions for healthful living mentioned above. Start cultivating these healthy lifestyle habits as a young adult. You will be helping to assure yourself of a healthy future.

REMEMBER – TO HELP KEEP BLOOD PRESSURE NORMAL:

Avoid becoming overweight.
Eat a balanced diet, low in fat and without adding excessive salt to your food.
Exercise regularly.
Quit or reduce smoking.
Offer yourself periods of relaxation to reduce stress.
Cease or reduce alcohol intake.
Know your family history.
Take medications, if prescribed.

The information provided above is for educational purposes only. Please do not use this information to diagnose yourself. If you have further questions or concerns about this topic or any others, please contact a Campus Health Service provider, 621-9202.