Join the Mission
and know your numbers
for National High Blood Pressure Education Month
Knowing
to call 911 in an emergency can save your life. So can knowing your
blood pressure numbers. Hopefully, they are less than 120/80 mmHg,
which is normal.
If not,
for National High Blood Pressure Education Month, join the Mission
to "Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure:" ask your doctor what
your blood pressure numbers are, what they mean, and what you can do
about them. Then do it.
Blood
pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries and
other blood vessels. It rises and falls during the day. When it
stays high over time, it becomes high blood pressure (also called
hypertension).
High
blood pressure is dangerous. It increases your chances of developing
heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of
death for Americans. It can also lead to other life-threatening
conditions, such as heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness.
More
than 1 out of every 3 American adults currently has high blood
pressure. This includes about 2 out of every 3 Americans over age
65. Once you reach age 55, your chances of developing high blood
pressure are 9 out of 10.
Fortunately, it is possible to prevent and control high blood
pressure. Often simple lifestyle changes can do the trick. These
include:
Losing weight,
if necessary, and maintaining a healthy weight;
Being
physically active;
Eating less
salt and sodium;
Following an
eating plan rich in fruits and vegetables and low fat dairy
foods, moderate in total fat and cholesterol, and low in
saturated fat;
If you drink
alcoholic beverages, doing so in moderation.
If these
lifestyle changes aren't enough to reduce your blood pressure, your
doctor may prescribe medication. Work closely with your doctor to
find the best dose, and then take your medication as your doctor
prescribes.
So join
the Mission. Find out what your blood pressure numbers are and what
they mean; then make gradual lifestyle changes and, if necessary,
take your medications. It can save your life.
For more
information on how to prevent and control high blood pressure, visit
"Your Guide to Controlling High Blood Pressure" online at
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html.