Blood could be pressing hard on your veins and arteries, trying to squeeze through to its destination. Or it could easily be flowing through like a lazy river.
One of those scenarios could spell big trouble for your health. It could boost the risk of heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. The other means your risk for those outcomes is near nil.
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Do you have any idea where you stand?
It’s impossible to know your blood pressure without taking regular measurements. Unless it’s an extreme circumstance, you’ll never feel your blood pressure. If you do experience symptoms of high blood pressure, you need to get to a hospital ASAP.
That’s why high blood pressure has earned the moniker “the silent killer.” It could have been steadily elevating for years, unbeknownst to you until your doctor gives you some shocking news.
Or worse.
Although you might not be able to feel high blood pressure, there are some indicators that you can pay attention to. For example, how much activity do you get each day? What do your food choices look like? How is your weight?
Each of those factors can shed some light on where your blood pressure might hover. At least 30 minutes of activity per day? Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and limiting processed food intake? Keeping weight relatively stable and not carrying too much belly fat?
If you’re staying active, have limited belly fat, and eat a healthy diet, it could indicate your blood pressure is in a normal range. If you’re eating a Standard American Diet, are inactive, and have plenty of fat around the belly, it could mean high blood pressure.
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But these indicators are not concrete. Active people without much belly fat, for example, can have high blood pressure, particularly if they are over 50.
So, what can you do? Check blood pressure regularly. Getting a daily reading can keep you abreast of changes, where you’re at, and what risk level for a cardiovascular event could be.
Keep up with healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of an unpleasant surprise.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
