High blood pressure: Treatable and beatable

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. In fact, your blood pressure rises as your body weight increases. Losing even 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure—and losing weight has the biggest effect on those who are overweight and already have hypertension.

The National Institutes of Health, at nih.gov, has produced a helpful online brochure, “Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure.” The guide notes that, if you have high blood pressure, you and your healthcare provider need to work together as a team to reduce it.

The two of you need to agree on your blood pressure goal. Together, you should come up with a plan and timetable for reaching your goal. Blood pressure is usually measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as two numbers—systolic pressure (as the heart beats) “over” diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats)—for example, 130/80 mmHg. Ask your doctor to write down for you your blood pressure numbers and your blood pressure goal level.

Monitoring your blood pressure at home between visits to your doctor can be helpful. You also may want to bring a family member with you when you visit your doctor. Having a family member who knows that you have high blood pressure and who understands what you need to do to lower your blood pressure often makes it easier to make the changes that will help you reach your goal.

The steps listed on the National Institutes of Health’s website will help lower your blood pressure. If you have normal blood pressure or prehypertension, following these steps will help prevent you from developing high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, following these steps will help you control your blood pressure.

It’s important to encourage yourself to reach your goal by taking an “I can do it!” attitude.

Exercising and losing weight have been shown to lower hypertension. However, it’s important to talk with your provider about whether you should also be on medication. Today a large number and variety of blood pressure medications, known as antihypertensives and typically separated into nine classes, are available by prescription to lower blood pressure. 

By taking action to learn your blood pressure and consulting your provider to develop a plan to deal with it, you’ll be well on your way to avoiding the serious health effects that can stem from this condition.

Remember, hypertension is almost always a preventable or treatable disease. If you’re looking for a UHS physician or advanced practice provider with whom to discuss your blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health, visit the UHS website at nyuhs.org and click on “Choose a Provider.”