The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do if You Have High Blood Pressure
Person checking blood pressure with tonometer
High blood pressure is serious and should be taken as such—but, of course, the stress that comes from worrying about your hypertension can actually make it worse, creating a vicious cycle.
So, how do you know you have high blood pressure? Everyone's baseline is different, but generally, healthy systolic blood pressure is 119 or below, and healthy diastolic blood pressure is 79 or below—so if your blood pressure is "120 over 80," that would be considered "elevated." According to the American Heart Association, blood pressure ranges generally fall here:
Normal: Less than 120 systolic, less than 80 diastolic
Elevated: 120-129 systolic, less than 80 diastolic
High blood pressure (stage 1): 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic
High blood pressure (stage 2): 140-179 systolic or 90 or higher diastolic
Hypertensive crisis: Higher than 180 systolic, and/or higher than 120 diastolic
So what's the worst thing you can possibly do if you have high blood pressure? The answer is pretty much unanimous among cardiologists.
Related: The One Habit That Can Lower Your Blood Pressure Overnight, According to a Cardiologist
What to Never Do if You Have High Blood Pressure
"The worst thing someone can do if they have high blood pressure is not take high blood pressure seriously enough," cardiologist Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, author of The Secrets of Immortality, tells Parade. "People might say, 'It doesn't hurt, so why should I care? Therefore, we call it a 'silent killer,' because it damages all our blood vessels, the heart, the brain and the kidneys if left untreated."
"The worst thing that someone with high blood pressure can do is to not monitor it regularly," Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California, concurs. "Whether it is at a doctor's office or with a home blood pressure cuff, it is essential that patients with a diagnosis of hypertension keep track of their blood pressure control."
According to Dr. Chen, monitoring your blood pressure and keeping a record of it can help your physicians know if and when to adjust your medications, as well as give you an opportunity to take a proactive approach to your health with lifestyle modifications, like weight loss, exercise and scaling back on salty and processed foods.
Related: 7 Tricks to Tame Your Blood Pressure Quickly
What Are the Biggest Risks Associated With High Blood Pressure?
Hypertension is correlated with a whole slew of other health problems, so keeping it in check is important for your overall health as well as your heart health.
"Uncontrolled high blood pressure not only increases the risk of major cardiovascular health conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke, but can also cause problems throughout the body such as kidney failure, vision loss, cognitive impairment, dementia and sexual dysfunction," Dr. Chen warns.
According to Dr. von Schwarz, another majorly serious medical condition can come from not keeping your blood pressure in check as well.
"A major risk is the development of what we call hypertensive heart disease, which is basically heart failure as a result of uncontrolled hypertension," he says. Other issues he warns of include the calcification of the arteries in the heart that can result in heart attacks, strokes and death—so get that monitor out and get to work!
Related: How Does the DASH Diet Impact Your Blood Pressure?
How Can Patients With High Blood Pressure Best Protect Their Heart Health?
A good thing about high blood pressure is that it's generally treatable and at least somewhat within your control. To best protect yourself and avoid serious medical problems, our experts advise:
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Managing stress levels
Avoiding alcohol
Quitting smoking (and any other form of tobacco)
Keeping regular medical check-ups
Taking medications as prescribed by your physician
Dr. von Schwarz also recommends self-testing at home.
"Check your blood pressure twice daily at home under resting conditions, sitting down for 10 minutes with a goal of less than 130/80 mmHg," he notes. "If the blood pressure is constantly higher, then re-consult with your doctor."
Next, 7 Numbers to Know to Minimize Your Risk of Heart Disease
