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.