February is American Heart Month, the perfect time to take a closer look at
your blood pressure and its effect on your overall health. High blood pressure –
also known as hypertension -- increases your risk for having a heart attack,
stroke, kidney problems, and other health concerns.

Many
people whose blood pressure has gotten out of control feel fine and do not
realize that anything is wrong. The only way to know if you have hypertension
is to have your blood pressure checked by your doctor. When you get your blood
pressure reading, it will be expressed in two measurements. The top number
represents the systolic blood pressure, or the level of pressure when your heart
is working to pump blood. The bottom number represents the diastolic blood
pressure, which is the level of when your heart is at rest between beats.
According to current medical guidelines, the optimal blood pressure for both
women and men is less than 120/80 mmHg.

One
of the leading causes of high blood pressure is too much sodium in your diet.
Fast food, meals in restaurants, and processed foods such as deli meats,
microwaveable meals, and easy-fix foods from a box, a can, or a packaged mix
are some of the most common sources of excess dietary sodium.

Hypertension
also is more likely to develop in people who are overweight or obese, people
who don’t exercise regularly, individuals with diabetes, smokers, people of
African-American descent, and adults over age 35. Overweight or obese children,
particularly those who are inactive and spend a lot of time sitting at the
computer or watching TV, also can be at higher risk for high blood pressure.

According
to the recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
we should consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day – or 1,500
milligrams if you are age 51 or older, are of African-American descent, or have
hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes. “The1,500 mg recommendation
applies to about half of the U.S. population, including children, and the
majority of adults,” note theGuidelines.

The
Guidelines
also recommend that people with hypertension and prehypertension follow the
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet Eating
Plan. The DASH Diet
includes plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains,
low-fat or non-fat dairy products, poultry and lean meats, nuts, and beans.

In
addition to reducing dietary sodium, hypertension can be managed by lifestyle
changes such as becoming more physically active; attaining a healthier weight;
and quitting smoking. For some people, doctors may recommend these lifestyle
changes in combination with prescription medicine to help control their blood
pressure.

To
learn more about preventing and treating high blood pressure, visit the
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute’s online blood
pressure information page published by the
National Health Information Center.

*Joshua Feinberg, D.O., is a family
medicine physician in practice at the Crozer Health
Pavilion, 145 Brinton Lake Road, Suite 201, Glen
Mills, PA 19342,
610-459-1619.

About Crozer Keystone Staff

Crozer-Keystone Health System’s physicians, specialists and advanced practitioners are committed to improving the health of our community through patient-centered, quality care across a full continuum of health services. Crozer Brinton Lake is Crozer-Keystone’s comprehensive outpatient care facility in western Delaware County, offering primary care, specialty services, outpatient surgery and advanced cancer treatment. Contact us: 300 Evergreen Drive, Glen Mills, PA 19342 http://www.crozerkeystone.org/Brinton-Lake 1-855-254-7425

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