WHY YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE MATTERS— EVEN IN YOUR 20s & 30s

Even young adults can 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.

“We often call high blood pressure the silent killer,” said Dr. Ali Masud, an interventional cardiologist with Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Associates at The Woodlands. “Though you may not feel it, high blood pressure quietly damages your body over time, damaging your kidneys, increasing your risk of heart attack, stroke, among many other ill effects.”

High blood pressure in young adults is likely caused by a combination of genetics, diet and lifestyle. Contributing factors include smoking, frequent drinking, chronic stress, excess weight, poor diet and lack of exercise.

What The Numbers Mean

Blood pressure is the force that blood applies to the walls of arteries as it’s pumped throughout the body. “Even though your arteries seem to tolerate high pressure, there are limits,” Masud explained. “They can tear or rupture, and

Protect Your Heart

If you’ve been having trouble controlling your high blood pressure, ask your PCP if you would benefit from seeing a specialist. At Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Associates at The Woodlands, our doctors specialize in providing better options for heart and vascular care. To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/debakey/ woodlands or call 713.DEBAKEY.

over time, arteries can degenerate even if there are no signs.”

The four blood pressure categories are:

■ Normal blood pressure: Lower than 120/80 mmHG

■ Elevated blood pressure: Between 120-129/80 mmHG

■ High blood pressure, stage 1: Between 130-139/80-90 mmHG

■ High blood pressure, stage 2: 140/90 mmHG or higher

Effects Of High Blood Pressure

Having elevated or high blood pressure damages your heart and arteries by:

■ Forcing your heart to pump harder. Over time, this causes heart muscle to thicken, making it harder for the heart to fill with and pump blood.

■ Narrowing and hardening your arteries. This can limit the normal flow of blood.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure early in life is a major risk factor for heart disease in middle age, as well as stroke, kidney disease and several eye conditions. “Long-term studies show having high blood pressure early on greatly raises your risk of developing serious health conditions later in life,” Masud explained. “This is true even if you are in your 20s and 30s.”

Lower Your Risk

Lowering your blood pressure involves making healthy decisions daily, including:

■ Eating healthy : Aim for a diet low in saturated and trans fats and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

■ Getting plenty of exercise : Aim for 60 minutes of activity per day.

■ Limiting alcohol : Keep your alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day — or eliminate it altogether.

■ Maintaining a healthy weight: If you’re overweight, a loss of as few as 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure.

■ Reducing your sodium: Keep your salt intake under 1,500 mg/day.

■ Quitting smoking : While its effects on blood pressure are still being studied, giving up smoking greatly reduces your risk for heart attack, stroke and premature death. Talking to your doctor regularly about your health risks is important, especially if you have a parent or sibling with high blood pressure. At your next appointment, be sure to mention any family history and find out how to reduce your long-term risk factors. •