It is estimated that one in three adults suffers from high blood pressure. And the number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher. Therefore, experts always recommend regularly measuring your blood pressure. Have we been doing it wrong so far?
High blood pressure is considered a “silent killer.” Because it does not initially cause much discomfort, it often goes unnoticed for many years.
“Chronic high blood pressure puts a lot of strain on the blood vessels and, if left untreated, can lead to damage to important organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes,” says cardiologist Alexander Kolobaev specially for MedicForum.
High blood pressure is also considered the largest risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which in turn is the most common cause of death.
This makes it all the more important to identify and treat high blood pressure early. This is achieved by regularly measuring your blood pressure. Until now, this was usually performed in a sitting position. Error? A doctor explains how to measure correctly.
“If measurements are taken only while sitting, the risk of cardiovascular disease may be missed.”
Researchers analyzed data from more than 11,000 people with blood pressure was measured both sitting and lying down (on the back) between 1987 and 1989.
Result:
- 74 percent of people had high blood pressure measured while lying down and sitting.
- 16 percent had high blood pressure measured only while lying down
Thus, people with high blood pressure (130/80 mmHg or more), including the 16 percent whose high blood pressure was measured only while lying down, had an increased risk of:
- heart failure
- coronary heart disease (heart vessels are narrowed or calcified)
- premature death
- Death from coronary heart disease.
The doctor attributes the difference in measurements to gravity.
“This can cause blood to pool when sitting or standing, which in turn causes the readings to change.”
Is your blood pressure measured incorrectly?
“If blood pressure is measured only while sitting upright, the risk of cardiovascular disease may be missed.”
He advocates measuring blood pressure while sitting and lying down, especially if known risk factors are present.
Minimize risk factors for high blood pressure—including through a healthy lifestyle
The risk of high blood pressure increases with age.
“Every person aged 40 years and older should know their blood pressure and, if the readings are elevated, discuss with their doctor what is best to do,” explains the cardiologist.
In addition to medications to lower blood pressure, you can also reduce it through a healthy lifestyle.
The most important aspects:
- no excess weight,
- moderate alcohol consumption,
- healthy diet(low salt and high potassium) and
- no smoking.
< li>sufficient exercise and sports,
< /ul>Stress is also considered a risk factor for high blood pressure.
“New guidelines for treating high blood pressure also recommend anti-stress workouts such as yoga and autogenic training,” the doctor adds.
MedicForum previously wrote about foods that speed up metabolism.
Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.