Facts About High Blood Pressure
1. High blood pressure has no symptoms. This is why it is called the ‘silent killer’. The only sure way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked. You can be fit and feel great but still have high blood pressure.
2. One in three US adults has high blood pressure. 30% of them don’t even know it!
3. High blood pressure put you at risk for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and even blindness.
4. Many things can affect blood pressure including physical exertion, emotional fluctuations and stress. You can monitor your blood pressure at home on an ongoing basis to watch the pattern.
5. High blood cholesterol does not necessarily lead to high blood pressure. However, many of the lifestyle habits that increase cholesterol levels also increase blood pressure such as a high-fat diet, lack of physical activity and too much alcohol.
6. Stress can add to your risk factors for high blood pressure.
7. High blood pressure is a lifelong disease. It can be controlled but not cured. Do not assume that once you have treated it, it has ‘gone away’ and you can stop taking your medicine.
8. High blood pressure can be helped with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole-grain high fiber products, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and lean meats. The dietary potassium from fruits and vegetables may help lower your blood pressure.
9. Make sure you maintain a healthy weight and get plenty of physical activity (at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day) and don’t smoke.
10. Women are just as likely to have high blood pressure as men. If you are on the Pill, pregnant, overweight, postmenopausal, African American or have a family history of high blood pressure, you are more likely to have it.
