Heart Health

Learning to manage your blood pressure can be lifesaving — literally. 

Hypertension increases the risk for heart attack and stroke, the nation's leading causes of death. Often called a silent killer, high blood pressure doesn’t usually have any symptoms. That's why keeping an eye on your levels is so important. The best way to monitor blood pressure is to have it checked regularly and know what your numbers mean.

What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls as it circulates through your body. Your blood pressure varies throughout the day, but it can cause health problems if it stays in a high range.

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg, but those numbers have changed over the years. Your doctor may also have a different benchmark for you depending on your age, health and other factors. It's a good idea to ask your health care provider what your target is.

While anything over 120/80 mm Hg is considered high blood pressure, there are other measures you should be aware of:

• Stage 1 hypertension is 130 to 139/80 to 89.
• Stage 2 hypertension is 140/90 or higher.
• Hypertensive crisis is 180/120 or higher.  

A hypertensive crisis is extremely dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.

Risk Factors

• family history
• ethnicity
• gender
• age
• high cholesterol
• smoking
• being overweight
• lack of physical activity
• unhealthy diet
• drinking too much alcohol 
• diabetes
• other health conditions

Control High Blood Pressure

• Keep up with your preventive care.
• Check your blood pressure regularly.
• Ask your doctor if prescription medication is right for you.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking any prescription.
• Eat a healthy diet that’s low in salt, fat and cholesterol.
• Maintain a healthy weight. 
• Limit your alcohol intake and drink in moderation.
• Make exercise a daily part of your life.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Manage your stress. Walk, meditate, try yoga or write in your journal.

Sources: High Blood Pressure,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; High Blood Pressure Facts,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; High Blood Pressure Risk Factors,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Changes You Can Make to Manage High Blood Pressure, American Heart Association, 2023.

Nearly 2 in 5 Americans have high cholesterol, which clogs blood vessels and puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Many things can contribute to high cholesterol like family history, unhealthy diet, weight gain and lack of exercise. Cholesterol is the fatty substance in your blood that latches on to particles called lipoproteins. 

Types

Providers test your blood for three main types:

• High-density lipoprotein — This is the “good” kind. HDL takes cholesterol out of your body.
• Low-density lipoprotein — This is the “bad” kind. LDL builds up and blocks the arteries.
• Triglycerides — This is the fat in your blood your body uses for energy. A high level increases your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Your total cholesterol is a blend of the three numbers. A higher total means you have a greater risk for heart disease. 

Your Numbers

You should aim for these levels:

• HDL: 40 mg/dL or higher
• LDL: less than 130 mg/dl
• Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dl
• Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dl

Talk to you provider about what your levels should be.

Keep Cholesterol in Check

How to manage your cholesterol:

• If you’re overweight, shed excess pounds.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Avoid saturated fat in meats, whole milk dairy products and many prepared foods.
• Limit or avoid drinking alcohol.
• Quit smoking.

Keep Up with Your Preventive Care

Make sure to get your preventive screening and check your cholesterol levels. If you have high cholesterol, your provider may recommend medicine and lifestyle changes to improve your numbers. 

Sources: About Cholesterol, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024, High Cholesterol Facts, CDC, 2024, Preventing High Cholesterol, CDC, 2024, Cholesterol test, Mayo Clinic, 2025

Hormones play a part in your heart health. They can affect things like your blood pressure, cholesterol and metabolism.

Estrogen

Estrogen helps with healthy cholesterol levels, regulates blood pressure and reduces the risk of blood clots. As women get closer to menopause, estrogen levels drop. This can increase blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors. 

Testosterone

Testosterone regulates red blood cells, metabolism and insulin. If your levels drop, it can cause weight gain, lower muscle mass and insulin resistance. This can lead to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. If your levels are too high, it can raise the risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke.

Insulin

Insulin helps your pancreas regulate blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels damages blood vessels, causes plaque in the arteries and increases the chance of heart attack and stroke. It can also lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.

Cortisol

Cortisol is commonly referred to as the stress hormone. Some stress is fine but chronic stress can leads to high levels of cortisol. This is linked to high blood pressure, developing abdominal fat and inflammation. 

Other 

The thyroid produces hormones for your metabolism, growth and energy production. They help your heart rate, blood pressure and cholesterol. When your thyroid isn’t working right, it can lead to other problems.

Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, can lead to high cholesterol, build up in the arteries and a slower heart rate. 

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can raise your heart rate, blood pressure and risk of irregular heartbeats causing a strain on your heart. 

Talk to your provider if you're worried about your hormone levels. They might perform tests and prescribe medications to regulate your hormones and keep your heart in shape.

Sources: Affect How Hormones Your Heart Health, McLeod Hospital, 2026