By Vi Lam
April 2024 | 2024 Spring Newsletter
Hypertension, or high blood pressure (BP), causes a heavy force of blood to constantly push toward artery walls. Left untreated, there is an increased risk for heart diseases or stroke. Over time, high BP can cause damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. The American Medical Association estimates that nearly half of adults in the United States have high BP, and about 860,000 people die from heart disease annually.
High BP is sometimes referred to as a “silent killer” due to having few obvious symptoms. Age, family history, and certain health conditions may increase the risk of developing high BP. However, there are preventative steps that you can take to manage high BP before there are any long-term complications.
Have your doctor check your BP. If high BP is diagnosed, it is highly recommended that you get a blood pressure monitor and self-monitor at home regularly. Ask your doctor to explain how to understand the BP readings.
Lifestyle changes can be made, such as increasing physical activity, avoiding smoking, sticking to a healthy diet, limiting sodium and alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress.
It is never too late to start monitoring and learning how to maintain a healthy BP. Visit cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure to learn more about high BP and how to manage it. Learn more about blood pressure under the Health Topics tab at heart.org.