Webinar Series

Healthy Hearts Webinar: High Blood Pressure

2022

12 min read

HGF Nursing Team

Bouba talks alongside Idongesit Obeye, RN, BSN, MSN-prepared nurse, about blood pressure, how hypertension can impact your health, and what you can do to help control blood pressure.

Having High Blood Pressure: You Are Not Alone

More than half of American adults have high blood pressure. Many don't even know they have it. High blood pressure can be a silent killer.

• Over 1 in 2 African Americans have high blood pressure
• Over 1 in 3 Asians and Pacific Islanders have high blood pressure
• Over 1 in 3 Hispanic/Latinx have high blood pressure

What Do the Numbers Mean?

Systolic pressure (top number) is the force your blood flows to your arteries as it comes out of your heart. Diastolic pressure (bottom number) is how much pressure your heart exerts against your artery walls while it rests between beats.

If systolic pressure is higher than 130 and diastolic pressure is higher than 80, you may have high blood pressure.

Hypertension Stages

• Stage 1 (130–139 / 80–89): Your healthcare provider will prescribe a treatment plan with lifestyle changes and may consider medication based on your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Stage 2 (140+ / 90+): Your provider will likely prescribe blood pressure medication and lifestyle changes.

Risk Factors

• Non-modifiable: Family history, increased age, male gender, race/ethnic background, chronic kidney disease, pregnancy.
• Modifiable: Lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol, smoking, being overweight, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress.

Be Empowered with Blood Pressure Control

• Take your medication if prescribed
• Be aware of how over-the-counter medications can affect your blood pressure
• Work with your healthcare provider on lifestyle changes
• Monitor your blood pressure at home

"The idea of community, that's where we always try to bring in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, 'I am because we are.' In Africa, we believe that we are all part of the community. We are better when the community is better." Bouba