Blood pressure is important for your health. Find out why your blood pressure matters even if you’re still in your 20s or 30s.
If you’re young and healthy, do you really need to be concerned about your blood pressure health? Believe it or not, nearly half of U.S. adults over the age of 20 have either elevated or high blood pressure (hypertension).
“While it might not feel like it, high blood pressure quietly damages your body over time – increasing your risk of developing serious medical conditions,” says Dr. Nasir, Chief of Cardiovascular Prevention and Wellness at Houston Methodist. “It’s why we call high blood pressure the silent killer.”
The following is an overview of why your blood pressure matters, regardless of age or how “healthy” you may appear.
Blood Pressure Numbers
“Your arteries are built to withstand some pressure, but there’s a limit to what they can handle,” says Nasir. Blood pressure levels have been divided into the following four categories:
- Normal: Lower than 120/80 mmHg
- Elevated: Between 120-129/80 mmHg
- Hypertension Stage 1: Between 130-139/80-90 mmHg
- Hypertension Stage 2: 140/90 mmHg or higher
If you have anything above the normal range, you can experience damage to your heart and arteries. Elevated and high blood pressure levels force your heart to pump harder, thickening your heart muscle and narrowing your arteries, resulting in poor blood flow.
Blood Pressure and Your Health
It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 20s or 30s: studies show that elevated blood pressure can significantly increase your risk of serious health conditions. “Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease in middle age, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S.,” says Nasir. “It’s also a risk factor for stroke, kidney disease, and several eye conditions.”
In addition to your health, high blood pressure can also cause some unnecessary hardship on your bank account, too. Uncontrolled hypertension can cost almost $2,000 per year in medications and health costs – more if it leads to heart disease and other serious conditions.
Lowering Your Blood Pressure
The good news is that controlling your blood pressure doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s all about making healthy lifestyle changes. For example, you should aim to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and eat heart-healthy and low-sodium food.
Furthermore, you can take supplements like HeartBeet Complete for an extra boost. Its ingredients promote circulation, blood pressure health, energy levels, and more. If you want to support your blood pressure, then practice healthy habits, take HeartBeet Complete, and get your blood pressure regularly checked.
“Not only may young people be tempted to brush off their elevated or high blood pressure, but they are less likely to be diagnosed by doctors during their office visits,” says Nasir. “Apart from taking steps now to reduce risk factors down the road, it’s important to discuss with your doctor if your blood pressure is consistently high.”
