High Blood Pressure in Women
High blood pressure can be a major health concern in women. Understanding the risks of high blood pressure and ways to keep blood pressure within normal parameters is a way to stay healthy for life.
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Definition
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The normal range for blood pressure in a woman is 120 over 80. Blood pressure is shown with two numbers. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is beating and diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats. The systolic number is written before the diastolic.
High Blood Pressure
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High blood pressure is considered anything above 140 over 90. There are no symptoms of high blood pressure in women so it is important to have it checked regularly.
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Risks
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Hypertension can lead to stroke, heart conditions such as heart attack and heart failure, and other major medical issues. High blood pressure lowers life expectancy.
Women and High Blood Pressure
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High blood pressure is a risk for all women but especially women taking birth-control pills and those who are pregnant, smoke, overweight or post-menopausal. These factors put women at greater risk for medical issues related to high blood pressure.
Prevention/Solution
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Regular doctor's visits, a healthy diet and exercise regime, and lowering stress levels will assist with having a normal blood pressure. There is no cure for high blood pressure, but it can be controlled.
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