Why Controlling Your Blood Pressure Essential for Good Health

By: Brian Hoeflinger, MD

November 2, 2025 | #64

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Disclaimer: Opinions are my own. Not medical advice.

Medical Trivia of the Week

Which artery is most commonly used to measure blood pressure with a cuff? (the correct answer is at the end of this email)

A) Carotid artery
B) Brachial artery
C) Radial artery
D) Femoral artery

Understanding the Basics of High Blood Pressure

Let’s get back to basics for a moment. Your body contains an intricate network of blood vessels that deliver nutrients and oxygen to all your tissues and organs. There are two major types of blood vessels: arteries and veins.

Arteries carry blood away from the heart to the body. Veins carry blood back to the heart.

Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Most people know blood pressure as two numbers: the top number (systolic pressure) and the bottom number (diastolic pressure).

The systolic (upper) number represents the pressure when your heart is actively contracting and pumping blood throughout the body. The diastolic (lower) number represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats.

What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, simply means increased pressure against the walls of your arteries.

The effect of this increased force or pressure can cause damage to the inner lining of blood vessel walls. If left undetected or uncontrolled, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels to the point of causing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and narrowing of the blood vessels themselves. The damage has serious consequences because, as we discussed earlier, the arteries supply oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. Thus, the end result can be:

Heart attack
Stroke
Kidney disease
Vision loss
Sexual dysfunction
Peripheral vascular disease
Heart failure (from the heart working harder over time)

The “Silent Killer”

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because it usually causes no symptoms while quietly damaging your organs.

You may feel perfectly fine while the damage is occurring, until it’s too late. That’s why routine blood pressure checks are so important.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There are many factors that can lead to hypertension, including:

Unhealthy diet (high in salt, saturated fats, and cholesterol)
Lack of physical activity and obesity
Smoking
Excessive alcohol use
Recreational drug use
Chronic stress
Age, race, and genetics
Certain medical conditions (e.g., sleep apnea, kidney disease, adrenal gland disorders)
Certain medications (e.g., birth control pills, steroids)

How Common Is It?

It’s estimated that nearly one-half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and only 1 in 4 have it under control.

Normal blood pressure:

Systolic (top number) below 120
Diastolic (bottom number) below 80

High blood pressure:

Systolic 130 or higher
Diastolic 90 or higher

https://newsroom.heart.org/file/blood-pressure-chart?action=

Managing and Preventing High Blood Pressure

Here are key steps to help manage or prevent hypertension:

1. Manage Weight and Stay Active

Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.
Set realistic weight loss goals if you are overweight.

2. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet

Focus on whole grains, berries, green leafy vegetables, and nuts (like walnuts).
Avoid processed and junk foods

3. Quit Smoking

Smoking damages blood vessels and worsens hypertension.

4. Limit Alcohol Intake

Drink in moderation, or avoid alcohol altogether.

5. Reduce Salt Intake

Aim for less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day (ideally around 1,500 mg for most adults).

6. Take Medications as Prescribed

Common medications include diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
Always take them under the supervision of your physician.

7. Use Technology to Stay on Track

Monitor your blood pressure regularly with a home device.
Use health apps to track your readings and progress.
Seek emergency care if your blood pressure is above 180/120 or you experience symptoms such as:
- Severe headache
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Stroke-like symptoms

Takeaway

High blood pressure may be silent, but its consequences are not. The good news? You have the power to prevent and control it through daily choices. Your heart, and your future self, will thank you.

Impactful Quote of the Week

"What gets measured gets managed."

- Peter Drucker

All my best,

Brian Hoeflinger

P.S. - if you enjoyed this newsletter, you may enjoy my podcast and/or my book that details my life as neurosurgeon and the loss of my oldest son, Brian (see below a synopsis).

Check out My Podcast

The Hoeflinger Podcast is about more than medicine, it’s about living a fuller, healthier, and more meaningful life. My son, Kevin, and I discuss medicine, health, fitness, lessons learned from personal tragedy, family, and purpose. Along the way, we invite inspiring guests to bring fresh insights and perspectives. Watch or listen to the podcast below.

YouTube: Click here

Apple Podcasts: Click here

Spotify: Click here

Check out My Book

Life and Death . . . Two words with such opposite meaning and which inflict such contradictory emotions and yet are so closely intertwined in our lives. As parents, we bring meaning and life into this world through our children. Our lives become defined as a result. We learn the joy, hardship, and responsibility of shaping an innocent life. But a day will come when that life will be taken. For some, death will come too soon. This is the story of my son, Brian Nicholas Hoeflinger, who died unexpectedly at age 18.

https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking

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Medical Trivia Answer:
The correct answer is B) Brachial artery

*Disclaimer: This newsletter and blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this newsletter and blog or materials linked from this newsletter and blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this newsletter and blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should consult their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.