"Do not fear to repeat what has already been said.  Men [sic] need (the truth) dinned into their ears many times and from all sides.  The first rumor makes them prick up their ears, the second registers, and the third enters."

            -Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec (1781-1826) Regius Professor of Medicine, College de France

 

Your blood pressure is important.

Your blood pressure is important.

Hey, ever know, a really important thing is your blood pressure?!

 

Why the sudden resurgence in blood pressure monitoring?  It may increase your appointment time at the Health Center (by a few minutes).  You used to be able to sneak in and out with a splinter or sprain without waiting for personnel to take your blood pressure.  And what's with the new handouts at Training Room Physicals?  Some athletes are even being restricted from their sport for high blood pressure!

 

WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?

High blood pressure is elevated pressure of the blood in the arteries. High blood pressure results from two major factors, which can be present independently or together:

       -The heart pumps blood with excessive force.

       -The body's smaller blood vessels narrow, so that blood flow exerts more pressure against the vessels' walls.

 

Blood pressure is read in two numbers. "Systolic", the top number, is the force of blood in the arteries as the heart beats.  "Diastolic," the bottom number, is the force of blood in the arteries as the heart relaxes between beats.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The pumped up cuff cuts off all the blood flow initially, so no sound is heard when the stethoscope is placed on your arm then, slowly, the blood starts flowing again as the cuff is loosened. As soon as the vessel allows a pulsing sound, the measure of mercury at that point is your systolic pressure; when the thumping stops being heard and the blood is no longer pressurized and is just swooshing through, the measurement of mercury at that point is your diastolic pressure.

Blood that's flowing smoothly and easily through your heart and body gives a reading of under 120/80. Blood pressure chronically above 140/90 is called hypertension. (see below for the in-between range **)

 

High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because blood pressure cannot be felt and because the symptoms may not show up for years yet it can lead to many health hazards. Although the body can tolerate increased blood pressure for months and even years, high blood pressure eventually injures the heart and blood vessels in the heart, kidneys, the brain, and the eyes.

 

            Blood pressure can be transiently high for a number of reasons: you're excited to be at the Health Center; you're scared to get the little cuff pumped up around your arm; you're running behind for a school paper/project; you're on Sudafed or Nyquil for a cold; you chose the wrong parents; you took too much cocaine, alcohol, steroids, ephedra, coffee, salt on your fries/chips, et al. 

 

            But if your pressure is high transiently, chances are when you return at some point for rechecks, your pressures will be normal. If it is always high, we have to talk. Unless, of course, it was transiently elevated because of your cocaine, ephedra, or steroid useÉthen we also have to talk. Depending on the range of pressures, follow-up varies. 

 

** SURPRISEÑwhat used to be "normal or high-normal" (120/80 to 139/89) has now been deemed "prehypertension" by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Education and Treatment of High Blood Pressure.  The JNC panel reviewed more than 30 medical studies worldwide and found that cardiovascular risks which can lead to heart attack and stroke begin at much lower blood pressures than previously believed. 

Prehypertension is considered important enough that Colby has changed its health center protocol. The downside to this new category is that your health center appointments might take a few minutes longer, members of athletic teams will be checked more formally than in the past and more people might end up fretting about blood pressure. But the good side is that your awareness will be raised and smart choices will be laid out for you at the right time preventatively.  You can take a walkÉor a run or a swim or a skate. You can balance out the salty things you love by eating more fruits and vegetables! And maybe you can choose not to salt things additionally as much you might be compelled.  You can be conscious of how much alcohol youÕre drinking, and set a smart limit per week, so that your body isnÕt setting itself up for a constant struggle with it. And you can end up feeling GOOD: healthier, and satisfied with your improvements and yourself.

 

            So, don't be alarmed if your blood pressure is being taken more frequently lately, and don't freak out if you're told it is "pre-hypertensive" or "high."  Just come talk to us by making a Health Center appointment.  You can thank us later for helping you make life style changes to lower your pressure!

 

J