When we talk about blood pressure, we’re referring to the force of blood that’s pushing against your artery walls.
It’s the measurement of blood passing through your blood vessels and the resistance it meets when the heart is pumping.
Increased blood pressure can occur with age, plaque buildup, and various other cardiovascular issues.
Having consistently high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, puts stress on your heart by making it work hard to pump blood around your body.
If left untreated, hypertension can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious health issues.
It’s a good idea to regularly check your blood pressure levels.
Implementing healthy habits, such as physical therapy, can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure level and decrease your risk of associated health issues.
At Capitol Physical Therapy, we offer a physical therapy wellness program that’s designed to help you maintain your physical health.
If you have high blood pressure, incorporating physical therapy into your treatment plan can help.
Let’s take a closer look at blood pressure.
What’s Considered Healthy Blood Pressure?
To understand what’s considered to be a healthy blood pressure level, we first need to look at how blood pressure is measured.
It’s measured by two numbers in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg).
The first number, known as systolic pressure, indicates the amount of pressure in your arteries as your heart is beating and pumping blood.
The second number, known as diastolic pressure, indicates the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest.
Having a blood pressure reading of around 120/80 mm/Hg is considered to be healthy.
Maintaining this level involves implementing healthy lifestyle habits, such as proper nutrition and physical activity.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure results from your blood being met with increased pressure from narrowed arteries and blood vessels.
Being in an ongoing state of high blood pressure is known as having hypertension.
This is signified by having a blood pressure reading that’s 130/80 mm/Hg or higher.
A blood pressure reading that is more than 180/120 mm/Hg is classified as a hypersensitive crisis and requires emergency medical help.
As we’ve mentioned, leaving hypertension untreated can lead to several health issues and complications.
These include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Vision problems
- Metabolic syndrome
- Heart failure
- Kidney problems
- Vascular dementia
However, implementing lifestyle changes can help lower your blood pressure and decrease the risk of associated health issues.
It’s important to monitor changes in your blood pressure by having regular readings.
With the right approach, it’s possible for your high blood pressure to return to normal.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
There are two types of high blood pressure, or hypertension.
The first is known as primary hypertension, or essential hypertension.
Generally speaking, there’s no specific cause of this type of high blood pressure.
It’s something that develops slowly over time.
Atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in your arteries, can increase your risk of developing hypertension.
Other factors such as age, being of higher than average weight , living a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and tobacco misuse, stress, or nutrient deficiencies can all contribute to hypertension.
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The second type of hypertension is known as secondary hypertension.
Not only does it occur more quickly, but it can also be more severe than primary hypertension.
This type of high blood pressure occurs more rapidly and is caused by another preexisting medical conditions.
Some causes of secondary hypertension include:
- Congenital heart defects
- Side effects from medications and prescription drugs
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid issues
- Adrenal gland tumors
- Substance and alcohol misuse
- Obstructive sleep apnea
It’s important to monitor your blood pressure level and implement strategies to maintain it at a health range.
How Can You Tell If You Have High Blood Pressure?
People with high blood pressure typically don’t display any symptoms.
It’s possible to have high blood pressure for years without even knowing it.
This is why hypertension is sometimes referred to as the silent killer, due to the absence of initial signs and symptoms.
However, it’s possible for some people with high blood pressure to experience headaches, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath.
These symptoms aren’t specific and vary person to person.
Most people don’t experience signs and symptoms until their blood pressure is at a severe or dangerous level.
As we’ve already mentioned there are risk factors that are associated with causing high blood pressure.
You may be more at risk if you are older, of a higher than average weight , sedentary, stressed, pregnant, or have a family history of hypertension.
Regularly checking your blood pressure can help monitor your risk of hypertension and allow you to implement preventive measures.
Can Physical Therapy Help With High Blood Pressure?
If you have high blood pressure, it’s a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and a number of other serious health conditions.
And while a medical approach is important, most medical doctors will recommend lifestyle changes alongside any medication provided.
In particular, an exercise regimen can help bring your high blood pressure down to a healthier level.
Regular exercise keeps your heart and arteries flexible and strong.
The less effort your heart has to make to pump blood around your body, the lower your blood pressure will be.
Here’s where a physical therapist can help.
A physical therapist can work with you to create a physical therapy wellness program to help improve your overall wellness.
What is a physical therapy wellness program?
It’s a structured approach towards exercise that aims to help people adopt and maintain healthy habits.
It can be targeted towards managing your high blood pressure and minimizing your risk for other health issues.
The idea is to establish long term strategies that can help you stay healthy, fit, and active.
Incorporating a healthy diet alongside daily exercise can also help manage your weight, which is a risk factor for hypertension.
The goal is to create an enjoyable and sustainable approach to exercise that provides ways to manage your high blood pressure.
Depending on your preference, your wellness plan may include things like:
At Capitol Physical Therapy, we can build you a physical therapy wellness program that fits your needs.
Book Your Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy Today
If you have high blood pressure and are looking for ways to manage and improve your life, we’re here to help.
We’ll work with you to implement a physical therapy wellness program so that you can manage your hypertension.
At Capitol Physical Therapy, we’re here to help you get on the path to wellness.
Book your appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy today.
1331 H St NW #200,
Washington, DC 20005
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9560 Pennsylvania Ave. # 202,
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
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Capitol Physical Therapy offers orthopedic and other pain related solutions, with our versitile team of physical therapists in Washington, DC