High Blood Pressure Can Kill You

Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause:

• Heart diease.
• Stroke.
• Heart attacks and heart failure.
• Problems with blood vessels and circulation.
• Kidney disease.
• Eye problems (reduced vision, blindness).
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Early death.

Know Your Numbers:

• About 3 in 10 adults have been told they have high blood pressure.
• Hundreds of thousands more have it but don’t know it.
• Blacks are more likely than other groups to have high blood pressure.
• More than half of people 65 and older have high blood pressure.
• Because there are usually no symptoms, the only way to know you have high blood pressure is to get checked regularly.

Knowledge is Power:

• Click HEREOpens a new window for High Blood Pressure Self-Management Goals.
• Click HEREOpens a new window for a High Blood Pressure Action Plan you can discuss with your healthcare provider.
• Para la versión en español de las dos páginas, por favor haga clic aquíOpens a new window .

Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure:

Healthy lifestyle changes are powerful.

If you smoke, quit now.

• If you have high blood pressure and smoke, your risk of a heart attack is more than double.
• For free help quitting, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW

Eat a heart-healthy diet and cut the salt.

• Limit salt (sodium) in your diet.
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Choose low-fat dairy products and lean meat and fish.
• Limit alcohol intake.

Get moving.

• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as a brisk walk) at least 5 days a week.
• If you are overweight, losing as little as 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure.

Take all the medication your medical provider prescribes.

• When diet and exercise aren’t enough, blood pressure-lowering medicines are safe and effective.
• Your medical provider may prescribe one or more medications.