Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, putting millions at risk for complications of chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, dementia, heart attack, and stroke. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the leading cause of global mortality and cardiovascular disease. It occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is higher than normal. It’s often called the “silent killer” because most people have no symptoms of hypertension.
But while there is no cure for high blood pressure, it can be prevented or managed. Here’s how:
- Measure your blood pressure. Do a blood pressure reading with your clinician at least once a year. About 25% of Americans are not aware that they have hypertension.
Eat healthier: Avoid salt and sugar in your diet. Try the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet, which includes veggies, fruit, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products.
Stay active: Regular exercise can lower blood pressure. - Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight is one of the leading causes of hypertension.
- Limit alcohol: High levels of alcohol increases blood pressure. Men should consume no more than 14 drinks and women should consume no more than nine drinks per week.
- Work with your clinician: Taking medication as prescribed, following lifestyle guidelines, and monitoring your blood pressure can control blood pressure and prevent its many complications.
By doing what you can to prevent high blood pressure, you can reduce your risk serious health complications. Talk to your doctor about high blood pressure and learn more about how you can help you and your family.
7 Questions for a Cardiologist
On this episode of Seven Questions for a Specialist, cardiologist John Ryan, MD, answers what he thinks is the best—and worst—thing you can do for your heart, why he chose to specialize in cardiology, and what advancements he's most excited about in the field of cardiology.
