High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol


High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a very common condition. It can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke if it is not managed.

What are healthy blood pressure numbers?
Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg, most of the time.

What are the risk factors for high blood pressure?

  • Age: blood pressure tends to rise as you get older
  • Race or ethnicity
  • Family history
  • High stress
  • Too little exercise
  • Poor diet
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Use of tobacco
  • Drinking too much alcohol

 

What are the signs of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer.” This is because people may have high blood pressure without knowing it. Common symptoms include:

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Nose bleeds
  • Changes in vision

Learn about the basics of high blood pressure, including its dangers, here.

If you have high blood pressure, you are more likely to have high cholesterol.


What is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat in your blood. Your blood has two kinds of cholesterol in it—one is “good” (HDL) and the other is “bad” (LDL). High cholesterol happens when your blood has too much fat in it. Your provider can measure the amount of fat in your blood using a simple blood test (lipid panel).

High cholesterol does not have symptoms. You need to have your levels checked on a regular basis.

Test result target ranges are:

  • LDL (“bad” cholesterol): 80-130 mg/dL
  • HDL (“good” cholesterol): more than 50 mg/dL
  • Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL

 

High blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol can lead to major health problems such as:

  • Heat attack
  • Stroke
  • Kidney failure
  • Vision problems or vision loss

 

Make regular visits to your primary care provider (PCP). Talk with them about how to maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

What are some ways to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol?

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a healthy diet by reducing salt and fatty or greasy foods
  • Limit or stop tobacco use
  • Limit or stop alcohol use
  • Maintain a healthy body weight (lose weight, if needed)
  • Review your medicines with your PCP. Some medicines can increase your risk for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

 

Click here to learn more about cholesterol.

Resources
Molina has the following no-cost programs available to members:

  • Weight Management & Nutrition Consultation program
  • Smoking Cessation program

For more information, please call our Health Management department at (866) 891-2320, ext. 751135.

Other resources to help you quit smoking:

 

Transportation
If you need nonemergency transportation for medical and behavioral appointments (Apple Health [Medicaid]), please visit: hca.wa.gov/transportation-help.