High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is when the force of the blood flowing through an individual’s arteries is consistently too high. Some 80 million Americans — that’s one in every three adults over the age of 20 — suffer from high blood pressure, many of which are unaware that they have it.
How important is it to have my blood pressure checked?
The best way to know if you have high blood pressure it is to have your blood pressure checked by a medical professional.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can be fatal and is, in fact, sometimes called "the silent killer" because with HBP, there are often no symptoms.
High blood pressure that is not controlled can cause a number of complications, including:
Heart disease or a heart attack
Stroke
Kidney Damage
Vision Loss
Erectile Dysfunction
Angina
Peripheral artery disease
Whether medication is deemed necessary, lifestyle modifications are also essential. This includes following a low-salt, low-fat diet, limiting alcohol consumption, getting daily exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.