FAQs You May Have On Blood Pressure and Heart Health

You might consider blood pressure and heart health a bit like peanut butter and jelly. Yes, the two can exist separately and have distinct identities, but they go hand-in-hand and have a connection critical to your overall health.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, and how you manage your blood pressure is an important part of your overall health management.

Here are some frequently asked questions that you may plan to discuss with your doctor and care team, to help you manage blood pressure and heart health.

Does high blood pressure cause heart problems?

You may have more cause for concern about your heart health the longer you live with hypertension.

This is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Over time, high blood pressure can damage your heart. The exessive pressure can harden arteries, decreasing blood and oxygen flow to your heart. All of this can eventually lead to:

chest pain (angina)
heart attack
heart failure
irregular hart beat, which can be deadly
stroke resulting from a burst or blocked heart arteries

However, you can manage and even prevent heart issues by lowering your blood pressure before it remains too high for too long.

Where should my blood pressure levels be at?

Your blood pressure reading measures the total amount of force your blood pushes against the walls of your arteries. It measures two different pressures and is presented as two figures, one over the other:

Systolic (top): This measures the pressure of your blood on the artery walls as your heart beats.
Diastolic (bottom): This measures the pressure when your heart rests between beats.

A healthy blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mm Hg, which means 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury.

Your blood pressure is considered high when you’re BP reading is 130/80 mm Hg and higher.

How do I know if I have high blood pressure that puts my heart at risk?

Half of all people in the United States have high blood pressure. But 1 in 3 may not even realize they have it.

You may experience different symptoms if you have high blood pressure. Those may include:

sudden, severe headache
difficulty breathing
pain in your abdomen, chest, or back
numbness or weakness
sudden change in your vision
problems speaking

Your healthcare team can talk with you about heart disease and how that relates to your blood pressure levels, family medical history, and other risk factors.

Will I have a heart attack if my blood pressure is too high?

Not necessarily.

But your risk for a heart attack or other heart-related event does increase the longer you live with hypertension.

High blood pressure is a major risk for heart attacks, but it’s also one of many that play a role in your overall heart health — particularly if you have other risk factors for heart disease.

How can I lower my blood pressure and keep my heart healthy?

You can manage and reduce your risk of heart problems by lowering your blood pressure levels.

Both the American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend several lifestyle changes, including:

eat a well-balanced diet
limit alcohol
enjoy regular physical activity
manage stress
maintain a healthy weight
manage any other health conditions, including diabetes

Can stress raise my blood pressure and hurt my heart?

Stress may affect blood pressure levels, but research isn’t clear exactly how that happens or what specific effect it may have on the heart.

This 2021 research suggested that stress can lead to increases in blood pressure.

Generally, stress levels are often tied to other risk factors and play a role in how higher blood pressure levels contribute to cardiovascular disease. This includes people who live with other health conditions, such as diabetes, which can raise your risk for heart issues.

What medications can help my heart and blood pressure levels?

Your doctor may prescribe several possible medications to help with blood pressure levels, especially if you have other risk factors for heart disease.

This may include:

angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
beta-blockers
calcium channel blockers
diuretics, or “water pills”

Many factors go into your doctor’s decision to prescribe medications, ranging from your overall health to family medical history and risk factors for high blood pressure and heart disease. They can guide you on any risks, side effects, and concerns relating to particular blood pressure and heart medications.

Are there heart healthy foods I can with high blood pressure?

Following a heart-healthy eating style can help you lower your blood pressure.

This includes eating foods with nutrients like potassium and magnesium may be especially helpful.

If you have high blood pressure, the American Heart Association advises eating:

fruits
vegetables
lean protein
whole grains

The AHA also recommends limiting foods that can keep your blood pressure elevated, including:

red meat
salt (sodium)
foods and drinks that contain added sugars

You may also consider limiting or avoiding certain foods and drinks in the name of lower blood pressure and heart health.

What exercises help keep my blood pressure low and heart healthy?

Physical activity and exercise should be part of your daily or weekly routine. They can also help lower your blood pressure and have heart benefits.

This can include as little as 5 minutes of exercise each day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend doing at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week, or around 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. A 2020 study also suggests that both aerobic and resistance exercise may help delay or manage blood pressure; and blood pressure may be lower for up to 24 hours after exercise.

The takeaway

You may have many questions about blood pressure levels and your heart health.

This is where your healthcare team can best guide you, answering common questions about hypertension and your heart. These may include healthy BP levels, certain foods and exercises you can embrace, and how medications or lifestyle changes may affect your blood pressure, heart, and overall health.