“The Silent Killer”
Dr. Douglas Raymond Hilbert
Internist
San Antonio, TX
Dr. Hilbert practices traditional internal medicine with evidence-based medicine and judicious use of medications when appropriate. Dr. Hilbert is a board-certified internal medicine physician as well as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP). This distinction is reserved for those recognized by their peers... more
Hypertension, what’s that?
- Hypertension is high blood pressure
- When you hear that from your physician, it consists of two numbers
- The top number is the “systolic” which is the pressure measured in your arteries when your heart is contracting
- The bottom number “diastolic” is the pressure measured in your arteries when your heart is relaxed (not contracting)
What is normal blood pressure? When is it considered high?
- Normal blood pressure is when the systolic (top number) is 119 or lower and when the diastolic (bottom number) is 79 or lower
- Elevated blood pressure (pre-hypertension) is when the systolic is between 120-129
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) is defined as systolic 130 or higher and or diastolic of 80 or higher
Why is it called the silent killer?
- Hypertension typically causes no symptoms
- Hypertension increases your risk for heart disease: having a heart attack or heart failure, and irregular rhythm called atrial fibrillation
- Hypertension increases the risk of a stroke, as well as kidney disease, the 2nd leading cause of kidney failure requiring dialysis
- Hypertension is the leading cause of peripheral artery disease, as well as aortic aneurysm
What can I do to reduce my risk?
- Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, nuts, whole grains, legumes (beans and lentils)
- Avoid white flour and sugar
- Avoid and limit salt intake as well as processed foods
- Exercise 30 minutes a day
How common is hypertension?
- Very common. It is thought that nearly 45% of adult Americans have hypertension
- Nearly half of those known to have hypertension are inadequately treated
