As a fire fighter, staying healthy on the job and your long-term health are vitally important to you and those around you. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can affect all three of these areas. That's why it's so important for those with high blood pressure to make positive changes for a healthier lifestyle.

By educating yourself and your family about high blood pressure, you can learn how to manage it, better understand your treatment options and improve your overall health.

Click here to view a free brochure with additional information on high blood pressure and how to manage it.

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What is HBP?

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As blood flows throughout the body, it puts pressure on the walls of blood vessels, similar to water flowing through a fire hose. This is blood pressure.

When the force of the blood moving through the blood vessels is too great, it's considered high blood pressure.

Hypertension, or chronic high blood pressure, can be dangerous because it forces the heart to work harder and can damage blood vessels.

This can lead to serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.

A blood pressure reading has two numbers:

• The top number–systolic pressure–is the pressure of the blood flow as the heart pushes blood throughout the body
• The bottom number–diastolic pressure–is the pressure between heartbeats, as the heart rests and refills with blood

Normal blood pressure for most healthy adults is 120/80 mm Hg or lower.

High blood pressure is a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

High blood pressure is a warning sign that should not be ignored. High blood pressure damages blood vessels and makes the heart work harder.

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Why is it important to manage HBP?

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Blood pressure greater than 140/90 mm Hg can have serious health consequences.

In 2003, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) revised its blood pressure guidelines. The new guidelines state that blood pressure numbers of 120-139 mm Hg systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic indicate "prehypertension" – a condition that puts you at greater risk of developing high blood pressure and the health conditions associated with it.

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HBP Risk Factors

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High blood pressure can happen to anyone. In fact, 1 in 3 adults in the United States has high blood pressure. High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack and stroke, especially when combined with other risk factors.

Fighting fires and responding to emergencies is a stressful job. Fire fighters need to be especially careful about monitoring and treating blood pressure.

Other groups with increased risk for high blood pressure include those who:

• get little or no regular physical activity
• who are overweight
• have diabetes
• have a family history of high blood pressure
• are Men over the age of 55
• are Women over the age of 65

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HBP Symptoms

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About 73 million people (1 in 3 adults) in the United States age 20 and older have high blood pressure. Because there are usually no symptoms, nearly one-third don't even know they have it. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it.

Even if you feel fine, keep your goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg in mind. A blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher damages blood vessels and makes your heart work harder.

The only way to know you have high blood pressure is to have it checked.

Extremely high blood pressure – anythin above 180/110 mm Hg – is called a hypertensive crisis. In addition to extremely high blood pressure, a person having such a crisis may experience one or more of these signs or symptoms:

• Severe headache
• Severe anxiety
• Shortness of breath

The consequences of uncontrolled blood pressure in this range can be severe and include:

• Stroke
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss
• Heart attack
• Damage to the eyes and kidneys
• Blood vessel damage
• Aortic dissection
• Angina (unstable chest pain)
• Fluid backup in the lungs
• Loss of kidney function

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HBP Treatment Options

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When discussing treatment plans, make sure your doctor knows you are a fire fighter.

Though it cannot be cured, high blood pressure can be treated successfully through lifestyle modifications and medication, when needed. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the presence of other risk factors.

• LIFESTYLE CHANGES: CHANGE RISK FACTORS INTO HEALTHY HABITS

Most people will need to use a combination of medication and healthy lifestyle habits to control high blood pressure. For prehypertensive patients or patients with mild hypertension, lifestyle changes may be the only treatment needed. These lifestyle changes may include:

• Changing your diet and losing weight
• Exercising regularly
• Always consult your health care professional before starting an exercise program

• MEDICATION: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Your doctor will advise you on specific medications that may help you reach your blood pressure goal.

Lowering your blood pressure may lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. Many people with high blood pressure need more than one medication to manage the condition. Some medications may be more convenient for the demands of the job. It's important that your doctor knows you are a fire fighter when discussing medications because fire fighters should be prescribed agents that minimize clinical side effects that may affect job performance.

Early treatment can help avoid the serious, long-term effects of high blood pressure. Although the condition can be easy to ignore because there are no symptoms, it is critical to take blood pressure medication as prescribed. Seek treatment for blood pressure numbers above 140/90 mm Hg.

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