High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure can be controlled
Simple steps can prevent high blood pressure or keep your hypertension under control. Maintain a healthy weight, keep active, and eat wisely for good heart health. If you're under a doctor's care for high blood pressure, remember to take your medication as directed. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the ways you can lead a heart-healthy lifestyle.

It's easy to check your blood pressure
Visit your local health clinic, come to a health screening event in your area, or check your local pharmacy or other stores for blood pressure machines. Having your blood pressure checked is quick, easy and painless.

A heart-healthy lifestyle is for everyone
Starting a healthy lifestyle early in life helps prevent high blood pressure and its complications as you age. Eating right, keeping a healthy weight, and staying active are recommended for all ages: children, adults and seniors.

You can avoid high blood pressure, or help keep it in control, with simple steps:

	Maintain a healthy weight. Read more
	Keep physically active. Read more
	Follow healthy eating habits. Read more
	Reduce the salt in your diet. Read more
	Drink in moderation
	Don't smoke. Read more

What is high blood pressure?
A blood pressure level of 140/90 or higher is considered high. About two-thirds of people over age 65 have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 139/89, then you may be at risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension, in the future. You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

What are the dangers of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure can affect the brain and cause strokes. It can lead to vision impairment or blindness. It can damage the kidneys and put you at risk for heart attacks.

Does high blood pressure run in families?
Yes. You are more likely to develop high blood pressure if your parents suffered from it. You are at higher risk if you have a family history of early heart disease (before the age of 65 in women, or 55 in men), or family history of stroke.

Am I at higher risk?
High blood pressure occurs more often among African-Americans than other groups. It begins at an earlier age, and is usually more severe. African-Americans also have a higher death rate from stroke and kidney disease. Having your blood pressure checked and practicing heart-healthy habits are especially important if you are part of this high-risk group.

High blood pressure can affect many parts of the body besides the heart.

Brain: Very high pressure can cause a break in a weakened blood vessel, which then bleeds into the brain. This can result in a stroke. If a blood clot blocks one of the narrowed arteries, it can also cause a stroke.

Eyes: High blood pressure can eventually cause blood vessels in the eye to burst or bleed. Vision may become blurred or otherwise impaired, or be lost entirely.

Kidneys: The kidneys act as filters to rid the body of wastes. Over time, high blood pressure can narrow and thicken the blood vessels of the kidneys. The kidneys filter less fluid, and waste builds up in the blood. The kidneys may fail altogether. When this happens, medical treatment (dialysis) or a kidney transplant may be needed.

Arteries: As people get older, arteries throughout the body "harden," especially those in the heart, brain, and kidneys. High blood pressure is associated with these stiffer arteries (atherosclerosis). This, in turn, strains the heart and kidneys.

Heart: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for a heart attack. The arteries bring oxygen-carrying blood to the heart muscle. If the heart cannot get enough oxygen, chest pain, also known as "angina," can occur. If the flow of blood is blocked, a heart attack results. High blood pressure is also the number one risk factor for congestive heart failure.

Find out more about how you can be tested for high blood pressure, and what you can do about it.

Contact your local health department office.

Call our Office Of Preventive Health at  601-576-7781 or our Information Hotline, 1-866-HLTHY4U.