5-30-06

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is increasing in the U.S. and is expected to also increase the amount of heart disease and strokes in Americans in future years.

Nearly one in every three Americans adults has high blood pressure and many of these people do not know they have it. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime and can cause other health conditions including heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, says Dr. Robert Bussing, associate professor and chief of general internal medicine at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. He describes the readings for high blood pressure.

SOUND BITE: "There’s some fairly standard data of what normal blood pressure are: the blood pressure of less than 120 on top, which is the systolic blood pressure; less than 80 on the bottom, so 120 over 80 is considered a normal blood pressure."

Dr. Bussing says a reading of 120 to 130 on top is the pre-hypertension range and 140 to 160 on top is considered Stage 1 high blood pressure. Greater than 160 is Stage 2 high blood pressure. He says usually there are no noticeable symptoms for the disease, but individuals who have extremely high blood pressure may experience some symptoms.

SOUND BITE: " . . . they may have some headaches or some visual blurring. Or if their high blood pressure has been going on for a really long time, causing quite a bit of strain on the heart, there might be congestive heart failure type symptoms. Those would be shortness of breath on exertion, shortness of breath lying down, some swelling of the feet and ankles."

Dr. Bussing urges all adults to get screened for high blood pressure. Individuals who have high blood pressure are advised see a physician to help manage the condition. They also should cut down on salt in their diet, lose weight and exercise regularly.