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Wearing: J.Crew Navy Jacket, J.Crew Like Black Necklace from Etsy.com, J.Crew Factory Royal Blue Tee, J.Crew Factory Matchstick Jeans

I thought I was blessed with excellent health but a recent trip to the doctors proved otherwise–that I have pre-hypertension.

Because high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms until complications develop, it is known as the “silent killer.”  While high blood pressure or hypertension was once thought of as a “man’s disease,” in fact women are as likely to suffer from this condition as men are.  Furthermore, more women than men die from complications of high blood pressure because women often ignore or fail to detect their high blood pressure until it is too late.

I would actually argue with my physician that I was okay and I didn’t need any medications to lower my blood pressure.  Guess I forgot from all my years of selling cardiovascular medications that uncontrolled high blood pressure can affect your target organs:  arteries, brain, heart, kidneys and eyes.

When did this happen? When did the guidelines change? A quick Google search showed in 2004, The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) revised the basic guidelines for what blood pressure numbers mean.  Do you know what your blood pressure is?

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What Blood Pressure Numbers Mean:
Normal: Lower than 120/80
Pre hypertension:  120-139/80-89
Stage 1 Hypertension:  140-159/90-99
Stage 2 Hypertension:  160 or higher/100 or higher

Today with all the advances in technology, there is no excuse for not being aware or being able to monitor your blood pressure.  You can keep track of how your blood pressure is being controlled by any or all of the following:

1.  Rite Aid  and other drug stores provide in-store health screenings.
2.  There are affordable electronic devices available:  wrist and finger cuff monitors.
3.  Most medical offices can take your blood pressure without an appointment.
4.  Community Health Clinics/Fairs offer free blood pressure screening.
5.  Blood Pressure Apps are available for Smart Phones

As adults age, systolic pressure (top number) tends to rise and diastolic (bottom number) tends to fall.   Also, an individual’s blood pressure varies with exercise, emotional reactions, sleep, digestion and time of day.

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In addition, there are physical factors (blood volume) that influence arterial pressure.  Each of these may in turn be influenced by physiological factors such as diet, exercise, disease, drugs or alcohol, stress and obesity.

Bottom line is that uncontrolled high pressure can cause end organ damage/ target organ damage which refers to damage occurring in major organs fed by the circulatory system (heart, kidneys, brain and eyes).

Complications from High Blood Pressure/End Organ Damage:

1. Arteries: Arteriosclerosis (narrowing or hardening of the arteries)

2.  Brain:  Stroke

3.  Heart: Coronary Heart Disease

4.  Kidneys: Kidney disorder or kidney failure

5.  Eyes:  Blindness

If your blood pressure numbers are not in the normal range, you need to seek medical attention to find out what’s the best prescribed medication to control your hypertension/high blood pressure to protect your organs and live a healthy life.

I am now on a low-dose agent to treat my pre hypertension to control my blood pressure (I am back in normal range) and more importantly protect those organs that help me to function.

Don’t be a victim of the silent killer; know what your blood pressure numbers are!