Factoids and Health Messages on High Blood Pressure Below are brief factoids and health messages that you may use in your program or activity during National High Blood Pressure Education Month and throughout the year. Individual messages may be inserted in shopping bags at grocery stores and other outlets, in the main service program of a religious congregation, with employee paychecks, etc. You may also print them in bulletins and newsletters or place the content in emails message to employees, congregation members, and others.
High Blood Pressure in the United States More than 65 million people in the United States have high blood pressure. Another 59 million people have prehypertension, which increases their chances of developing high blood pressure. The good news is that you can prevent and control high blood pressure. Beginning in May which is National High Blood Pressure Education Month, try losing some weight, if necessary, and start trying more heart healthy foods. Small steps like these can help you prevent or control high blood pressure. For more information, visit the Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp. What is Normal Blood Pressure? A blood pressure reading below 120/80 is considered normal. Generally, lower is better. However, very low blood pressures can sometimes be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a doctor. Doctors classify blood pressures under 140/90 as either "normal," or "prehypertension." - "Normal" blood pressures are lower than 120/80.
- "Prehypertension" is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the "prehypertension" range. If your blood pressure is in the prehypertension range, it is more likely that you will end up with high blood pressure unless you act to prevent it.
For more information, visit the Diseases and Conditions Index on the NHLBI Web Site at http://dci.nhlbi.nih.gov. What is High Blood Pressure? A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered high blood pressure another name for hypertension. Both numbers are important. If one or both numbers remain high over a period of time, you have high blood pressure. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, you still have high blood pressure even if you have repeated readings in the normal range. There are two levels of high blood pressure: Stage 1 and Stage 2 - Stage 1 is a systolic pressure ranging from 140 to 159 or a diastolic pressure ranging from 90 to 99.
- Stage 2 is the most severe hypertension. It a systolic pressure of 160 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 100 or higher.
Only one of the numbers—the top or the bottom—needs to be high for you to have prehypertension or high blood pressure. For more information, visit the Diseases and Conditions Index on the NHLBI Web Site at http://dci.nhlbi.nih.gov. Lose Weight If You Are Overweight. Being overweight increases your risk of high blood pressure. In fact, blood pressure rises as body weight increases. Losing extra pounds is a very important step that you can take to reduce your high blood pressure. Losing even 10 pounds can lower blood pressure. For those with less severe high blood pressure, losing weight may be all that's needed to control their high blood pressure. For others, losing weight may reduce the amount of medication they need to take for their high blood pressure. For more information, visit the "Aim for a Healthy Weight" page on the NHLBI website at http://healthyweight.nhlbi.nih.gov. If You Take Medicine to Control Your High Blood Pressure Usually, the goal is to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 (130/80 if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease). Ask your doctor what your blood pressure goal should be. If your doctor has prescribed high blood pressure pills, it is important that you take them each and every day. Medicines will control your blood pressure but they cannot cure it. Blood pressure medicines work in different ways to lower blood pressure. Often, two or more drugs work better than one. Some drugs lower blood pressure by removing extra fluid and salt from your body. Others affect blood pressure by slowing down the heartbeat, or by relaxing and widening blood vessels. For more information, visit the Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp. Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Medicine - Take your pills at the same time every day. Try to link it with something else that you do regularly, like brushing your teeth. If your doctor told you to take your pills with food, try taking them at the same time as you have your meal every day.
- Write it down. Put a reminder note on the refrigerator, by the phone, on the medicine cabinet, or even on the bathroom mirror. Rewrite the message from time to time, using different colors to get your attention, or move the notes to a different spot.
- Try keeping a chart or calendar to write down when you take your drugs. Keep this calendar posted so you can quickly see if you've taken your drugs. Use colored pens to help you keep track of more than one type of medication.
- Try using a special pillbox that helps keep your pills organized. You can buy these containers at most drugstores or pharmacies.
For more tips and other information, visit the Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp. Living with High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is not a problem that you can treat and then ignore. It's a condition you need to manage for the rest of your life. Steps you can take include: - Keep track of your blood pressure. Learn to take your own blood pressure at home or have it regularly checked by a health care professional. Write your numbers down each time (with date).
- Talk to your doctor about the names and dosages of your high blood pressure medicines and how to take them.
- If you think you're having other problems (side effects) from taking your medicine, talk to your doctor. Another medicine may be better for you, or the problem may not be related to the medicine.
- Refill your blood pressure medicines before they run out.
- Take your blood pressure medicines exactly as directed.
For more information, visit the Diseases and Conditions Index on the NHLBI Web Site at http://dci.nhlbi.nih.gov. Who Gets High Blood Pressure? Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but some people are more likely to develop it than others. In the U.S., high blood pressure occurs more often in African Americans. Compared to other groups, blacks: - Tend to get high blood pressure earlier in life
- Usually have more severe high blood pressures
- Have a higher death rate from stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
The good news is that treatment can control high blood pressure and blacks have made great strives in getting their high blood pressure under control. You can prevent and control high blood pressure! For more information visit the Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp. Who Gets High Blood Pressure? Many people get high blood pressure as they get older. Over half of all Americans age 60 and older have high blood pressure. This is not a part of healthy aging! There are things you can do to help keep your blood pressure normal, such as eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise. For more information, visit the Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp. How Can You Prevent High Blood Pressure? Everyone can lower his or her chances of developing high blood pressure! Here's how: - Keeping a healthy weight, lose weight if you are overweight
- Being physically active
- Following a healthy eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods. (Visit the DASH eating plan at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov and SEARCH for "DASH".)
- Choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium
- Drinking alcohol in moderation if you drink.
Another important measure for your health is to not smoke. Cigarette smoking increases you risk of heart attack and stroke and stopping is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. For more information, visit the Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp. The DASH Eating Plan Can Help Prevent and Lower HBP People with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure within a month by following the DASH eating plan that emphasizes: - 8 to 10 servings a day of fruits and vegetables
- 2 to 3 servings a day of low-fat dairy foods as part of a healthy diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat.
- Moderate amounts of whole grains, fish, poultry and nuts
- Limited amounts of red meat, sweets, and sugar-containing beverages.
The DASH Study showed that the eating plan was beneficial to both: - Persons with high blood pressure
- Persons wishing to prevent high blood pressure.
In addition, those who had the lowest sodium intake had the greatest fall in blood pressure. For more information on the DASH eating plan, visit the Web site of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov and SEARCH for "DASH". | 
