What are your numbers?
Why knowing your blood pressure could save your life
Ahead of World Hypertension Day on Sunday, May 17, Parkland Health providers are asking a simple but powerful question: “What are your numbers?” It’s a question more people should be asking.
“One of the main reasons we want to ensure people know their blood pressure numbers is that it tells you how your heart is functioning. Knowing those numbers helps you understand how the muscles in your heart are working and if they are starting to get damaged or if wear and tear is beginning,” said Catherine Pinedo, RN, a Nurse Navigator at Parkland. “When we start to move into the hypertension range, we know we need to make lifestyle modifications or start medication to help level it.”
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called the “silent killer” because it typically has no symptoms. Many people feel completely fine, even as their blood pressure is quietly putting strain on the heart, blood vessels and vital organs. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
“You don’t always get a warning that your blood pressure is high, and the damage is done quietly, that’s when we can start seeing strokes or organ damage,” Pinedo said.
Parkland nurses like Pinedo see firsthand how important early detection and ongoing management can be.
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:
- Systolic pressure (the top number), which measures the force of blood against artery walls when the heart beats.
- Diastolic pressure (the bottom number), which measures that force when the heart is at rest between beats.
A normal reading is typically around 120/80 mm Hg. Consistently higher readings may indicate hypertension and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
According to the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, in Dallas County (as well as across the country), high blood pressure remains one of the leading risk factors for preventable illness and death.
The good news is that hypertension is manageable. Small, consistent changes can make a big difference, such as eating a balanced diet low in sodium, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, avoiding tobacco and taking medications as prescribed.
Checking your blood pressure is quick, simple and can be done at a clinic, pharmacy or even at home with a monitor. For those diagnosed with hypertension, regular monitoring helps track progress and guide treatment.
If you or a loved one have concerns about high blood pressure or related symptoms, Parkland’s Access to Care & Coverage Program is located in the neighborhoods where you live and work, offering health screenings such as blood pressure checks in addition to other services.
To learn more about hypertension, visit www.parklandhealth.org/hypertension. For more information about services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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