The Pressure: Hypertension

1 in 3 people unknowingly have high blood pressure, with over 3 million cases in the US every year! These statistics are even more shocking for racial minorities. African American women are among the groups with the highest rates of high blood pressure. (That statistic may not be that surprising to some of you)

But what exactly is hypertension?

Hypertension, according to the Mayo Clinic is, “a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.” The normal range of blood pressure is 90 to120 over 60 to 80. The top number

represents ones systolic number, which is the highest blood pressure when your heart rate is elevated. The bottom number is the diastolic number, which is the lowest number when your heart is at rest. If both of these rates are consistently high, one's heart is working too hard to pump blood around the body.

Simply put, the consistent pressure being put on your heart and veins weakens them leading to major health problems.

Some of you may know that at age 17, during my freshman year of college, I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure. My numbers were 174/100. Now these numbers are an indication of Stage 2 hypertension. We're talking about heart attack and stroke numbers!

Do you know your numbers? You might want to check... especially my black men and women, because I thought i felt fine when I got my reading. Yet there I was, at risk for a heart attack and stroke at age 17.

Hypertension is a topic close to me heart (👀😂), so there will be more to come! In the meantime, let me know what your thoughts, comments and questions are by sending an email, dropping a comment, and following me on Instagram!