By American Heart Association
Finding reliable health advice online can often be challenging. However, you have come to a trustworthy source.
We have put together a selection of questions that are frequently searched on the internet and consulted with Dr. Shawna Nesbitt, the John C. Vanatta III Professor of Internal Medicine, specializing in hypertension within the cardiology division at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She also serves as the medical director for the Parkland Hypertension Clinic.
Alongside her insights, you’ll find useful links to resources provided by the American Heart Association, carefully reviewed by qualified medical and scientific experts. (Remember, if you suspect you are experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest, call 911 immediately.)
What leads to high blood pressure, and what can I do to manage it swiftly?
Understanding the underlying causes of high blood pressure is essential, as Dr. Nesbitt points out that quick solutions are rarely effective.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, causes gradual damage to blood vessels. This process tends to develop slowly over time, as Nesbitt explains. Given the extensive network of blood vessels in the body, this condition can result in complications affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, and other organs.
Factors such as family history and lifestyle play significant roles in the development of hypertension. While genetics are a component, early life experiences shape dietary habits and exercise patterns, which are often carried into adulthood. Stress, sleep disturbances, and smoking can also elevate risk levels.
Though medication may be necessary to regulate high blood pressure, lifestyle modifications can yield significant benefits over time. Reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables are crucial, alongside maintaining physical activity.
Useful links for managing high blood pressure:
Top 10 essentials regarding the most recent high blood pressure guidelines
Smart eating: Strategies for healthy eating, weight loss, and culinary skills
Healthy living: Resources for improving sleep, managing stress, and quitting tobacco
What is my BMI, and what should it be?
BMI, or body mass index, is essentially a formula that correlates an individual’s weight to their height, according to Nesbitt. Generally, taller individuals should have higher weights, while shorter individuals should weigh less. For calculations, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute offers a calculator.
However, it’s essential to focus on the bigger picture rather than fixate on that number.
The concept of BMI originated as a method to assess obesity within larger populations, making it less suitable for individual analysis. A BMI below 25 indicates a lower risk, whereas a BMI of 25 to 29.9 signals overweight status, and a BMI above 30 categorizes an individual as obese. However, since muscle mass is denser than fat, athletic individuals may present with high BMIs. Additionally, health standards vary across different racial and ethnic groups, as Nesbitt notes. What is deemed healthy for a Black or white woman may not apply to someone from a South Asian background.
While maintaining a healthy weight is vital for overall well-being, Nesbitt advises that BMI should be regarded as “a rough estimate” when monitoring weight.
Helpful links regarding BMI and sustaining a healthy weight:
Healthy for Good: Cultivating healthy habits across life stages
Strategies for maintaining a healthy weight
How can I quickly reduce cholesterol levels?
Similar to blood pressure, grasping the factors that contribute to unhealthy cholesterol is key before attempting to address it.
Blood cholesterol tests typically check levels of HDL (the “good” cholesterol) and LDL (the “bad” cholesterol). Genetic factors can predispose some individuals to high cholesterol, emphasizing the importance of early screening. Diets rich in saturated fats can also influence cholesterol levels.
Over time, elevated LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque accumulation in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Thus, to manage cholesterol levels effectively, “in summary, diet and exercise are the primary strategies,” Nesbitt states. “However, if levels surpass a certain threshold, medication may be necessary.”
Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet is beneficial, but Nesbitt cautions against taking over-the-counter supplements without first consulting your healthcare provider.
Useful links on lowering cholesterol:
Interpreting Your Cholesterol Levels
Do children require cholesterol testing?
What is aerobic exercise, cardio, and does walking qualify?
Aerobic or cardio exercise refers to activities that elevate your heart rate.
“Walking absolutely counts,” Nesbitt confirms. Other moderate-intensity aerobic exercises include cycling, gardening, and dancing, whereas jogging, swimming, and jump rope are classified as vigorous-intensity activities.
“Any type of exercise offers health benefits,” Nesbitt remarks, although varying types result in different advantages.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercises or 75 minutes of vigorous exercises weekly, or a mix of both. Additionally, those able should incorporate muscle-strengthening activities of moderate to high intensity at least twice a week.
Achieving your aerobic exercise targets might be simpler than you think, Nesbitt notes. For example, walking from your parking spot to your office counts, so try parking a little further away to boost your total minutes.
Helpful links related to physical activity:
Fitness fundamentals, becoming active, walking, and maintaining motivation
AHA guidelines for physical activity for adults and children
Five strategies to maximize your health benefits with every step
What symptoms indicate a heart attack in women?
Unlike men, who often exhibit classic heart attack symptoms like sudden chest pain, women may experience subtler signs, as Nesbitt explains. Common symptoms in women include feelings like, “My shoulders hurt,” or “I’m feeling more fatigued than usual.”
Heart attack indicators in women can also comprise:
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain at the center of the chest
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Feelings of anxiety
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual fatigue and weakness
- Sudden cold sweats
- Nausea
- Dizziness
“Women should recognize that their symptoms may differ because they tend to be subtler than those observed in men,” Nesbitt emphasizes. Consequently, women’s symptoms are often misinterpreted or dismissed as indigestion or fatigue.
Useful links on heart attack symptoms in women:
Recognizing symptoms of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest
Heart attack symptoms specific to women
Identifying warning signs of a heart attack
Are heart palpitations dangerous?
The term “heart palpitations” refers to an awareness of a racing heart, which may be induced by anxiety or could indicate an arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat).
Regardless, discussing this issue with your doctor is essential, as distinguishing between anxiety-induced symptoms and arrhythmias can be difficult for the average person, according to Nesbitt.
While extra heartbeats might not signify an emergency, it’s crucial to get evaluated professionally, Nesbitt warns.
Useful links about heart palpitations:
All you need to know about heart rate
What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
The American Stroke Association notes that stroke symptoms include:
- Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
- Visual impairment in one or both eyes
- Difficulty walking, loss of balance, or dizziness
- Severe headache with no known origin
Women can experience:
- Overall weakness
- Disorientation, confusion, or memory issues
- Fatigue, nausea, or vomiting
If someone is exhibiting signs of a stroke, you must call 911 immediately. Quick response is critical, Nesbitt underlines, as brain cells begin to die after each second a stroke occurs. “Once these cells die, restoring their previous functions may be impossible.”
Calling 911 expedites the treatment process necessary to restore blood flow to the brain, and delays can hinder effective therapies, as Nesbitt cautions.
The American Stroke Association simplifies the steps to take using the FAST acronym:
- F = Is there face drooping?
- A = Is there arm weakness?
- S = Difficulty with speech?
- T = Time to call 911.
Useful links regarding stroke signs and symptoms:
What steps should I take if I suspect I’m having a heart attack?
Dial 911.
“This is the first and most crucial step,” declares Nesbitt. “Do not attempt to drive yourself, don’t take chances, just call 911. Period.”
This remains true even if your chest pain seems mild, as it could signify more severe complications, she points out. “The next symptom might be that you stop breathing.”
A heart attack typically occurs due to a blockage impeding blood flow to the heart. Delayed blood flow can result in irreversible damage to heart tissue.
“So call 911,” Nesbitt emphasizes. “This is the number one priority.”
Helpful links:
Strategies for preventing heart attacks
Emergency decisions: Call 911 for symptoms or drive to the ER?
