You're young, you're healthy — so does it actually matter that your doctor is concerned about your blood pressure? Even if you're a young adult, you aren't too young to be affected by high blood pressure. In fact, almost half of adults over the age of 20 have elevated or high blood pressure — even if they appear healthy. High blood pressure doesn't cause obvious symptoms, but that doesn't mean it should be ignored. Blood pressure is the force that blood applies to the walls of arteries as it's pumped throughout the body.
This is why blood pressure is measured and segmented based on how it affects our health. The four blood pressure categories are:. Only normal blood pressure is considered healthy. Having elevated or high blood pressure damages your heart and arteries by:.
Even if you're only in your 20s or 30s, long-term studies show that having elevated blood pressure significantly increases your risk of developing serious health conditions later in life. Plus, high blood pressure affects more than just your health; there are financial implications, too.
These costs skyrocket if high blood pressure is left uncontrolled and serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, result. The steps to lower your blood pressure aren't as painful as you may be thinking.
The current lower diagnostic threshold for hypertension diagnosis is justified by numerous large observational studies, which established that even people with a systolic pressure above or a diastolic pressure above 80 have an increased risk for heart disease or stroke. Medication is also recommended for adults age 65 years or older with a systolic pressure of or greater. For those over 65, the goal is to achieve a systolic pressure below The SPRINT study compared intensive treatment of hypertension to a target systolic pressure of to standard treatment to a target of in more than 9, patients with systolic pressure of or higher and high cardiovascular disease risk.
The trial found that intensive treatment reduced cardiovascular disease events and all-cause deaths compared with standard treatment. I think the hardest thing to grasp is that for low-risk, younger patients with systolic pressure between and , medication is rarely indicated.
They are given a diagnosis of hypertension, but the only recommendation is to improve diet and exercise more. The main purpose of diagnosis in that group is to notify people about their risk and motivate them to make behavior changes. People with naturally lower blood pressures have lower risk for these conditions. So even moderately high blood pressure below past diagnostic thresholds is unhealthy. The big question for clinical practice is, does "lower is better" always apply when we lower blood pressure with drug treatment?
It is not percent clear. An aneurysm may have no symptoms until it is either very large or it ruptures. Aortic stenosis may be congenital present from before birth , but is often diagnosed during teenage years.
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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Blood and blood vessels. Home Blood and blood vessels. Blood pressure. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. How blood pressure is measured Variations in blood pressure Blood pressure readings Get regular blood pressure checks Managing high blood pressure High blood pressure and daily activity High blood pressure and diet Salt intake and high blood pressure Medications for high blood pressure Where to get help.
How blood pressure is measured It is best to measure blood pressure when you are relaxed and sitting. Blood pressure readings What is considered a healthy blood pressure varies from person to person. How potassium can help control high blood pressure , , American Heart Association. Low blood pressure hypotension , , Mayo Clinic. Guideline for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in adults , , Heart Foundation, Australia. Give feedback about this page.
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