Maryland's Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2016 - 7


UNDER

PRESSURE

High blood pressure is invisible-
but dangerous. Find out how to
keep it controlled

D

onna Coates, 69, of Balti-

"The first medication he put me on

WHAT
DO THE
NUMBERS
MEAN?
Your blood pressure is a ratio
of two numbers, for example,
119/78 mmHg (millimeters of
mercury). While both numbers
are important, the American
Heart Association notes that the
top number usually gets more
attention. That's because as we
age, arteries can become stiff
and develop plaque buildup. So

more knew it was impor-

didn't bring it to the levels he wanted,

a high systolic reading is consid-

tant to keep an eye on her

so he wanted to add an additional

ered a major heart disease risk

blood pressure. "High blood

medication," Coates says. Adding that

factor for people older than 50.

pressure runs in my family.

second drug took a bit of convincing.

Two sisters, my mother and my brother

"I don't take a lot of medication, and

all have it, so I know the risks," she says.

I didn't want to," she says. "And I think it's

Here's how the American
Heart Association categorizes
blood pressure levels:

important when you're taking medication

Normal: systolic less than 120

tor, Russell Lewis, MD, clinical assistant

to ask doctors questions and to under-

and diastolic less than 80

professor of family and community

stand all of your options."

During her yearly physical, her doc-

medicine at the University of Maryland

She tried the second drug, but the

Prehypertension: systolic
120-139 or diastolic 80-89

School of Medicine and a family practice

dosage was a bit strong at first, trig-

Stage 1 high blood pressure:

physician at the University of Maryland

gering headaches. Ultimately, the combi-

systolic 140-159 or diastolic

Community Medical Group, discovered

nation of the first medication plus a lower

90-99

that her blood pressure was danger-

dose of the second turned out to be the

Stage 2 high blood pressure:

ously high-her top (systolic) number

perfect blend for her. "My blood pressure

systolic 160 or higher or

was 185, a level that's considered an

has been at 132 to 134 over 72 to 77, and

diastolic 100 or higher

emergency. Even with such a high

it seems to be holding steady," she says.

reading, she hadn't spotted any symp-

Along with medication, Coates

Hypertensive crisis (seek
emergency care): systolic

toms of high blood pressure, though

says she pays close attention to the

higher than 180 or diastolic

in hindsight she notes that she had

sodium in her diet and she's been fol-

higher than 110

headaches that might be attributed to

lowing her doctor's instructions about

the condition.

sodium consumption.
With her blood pressure under control,

Low blood pressure is
typically not a problem unless
you notice symptoms such

THE RIGHT MIX

Coates can focus on what's important-

as dizziness, fainting, lack of

While lifestyle changes can help control

writing her series of romantic mysteries

concentration, blurred vision,

hypertension, Dr. Lewis wanted to treat

set in Baltimore and spending time

nausea, clammy skin, shallow

her high levels more aggressively, so he

with her family.

breathing, fatigue or depres-

recommended medication to lower her

sion. Talk to your doctor if you

blood pressure. It took a bit of trial and

A COMMON CONCERN

error to come up with the best method

With hypertension affecting 1 of 3 adults

of managing her hypertension.

in the United States, it's important to

have concerns about low
blood pressure.

umm.edu/midtown | Fall 2016

 7
http://www.umm.edu/midtown
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2016
