Is your high blood pressure “hiding in plain sight”?

High blood pressure can lead to other health problems, such as heart attack and stroke. According to U.S. CDC almost 70 percent of people who have a heart attack and 80 percent of people who have a stroke have high blood pressure. About 30 percent of adults have high blood pressure but almost one in five doesn’t know they have it, primarily because there are no symptoms. Their high blood pressure is “hiding in plain sight.”

Ask your doctor if you have high blood pressure or visit a wellness screening. Getting enough physical activity and eating properly can help keep your blood pressure under control.

For more information on high blood pressure, including how to prevent and control it, visit MaineHeartHealth.org or talk to your health care provider.

Six steps to control blood pressure

High blood pressure, often referred to as the “silent killer,” does not have any symptoms, but can cause serious damage to arteries, leading to heart disease and stroke. Nearly one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure and many people remain unaware of this condition because there are no symptoms. 

A routine doctor’s appointment often involves a health professional checking your blood pressure. The results of this simple test may identify a condition that, when managed, could help reduce your chances for stroke or heart attack.

The national high blood pressure campaign, Measure Up/Pressure Down®, encourages adults to get in control by making simple lifestyle changes, including:

1. Know your numbers – Understanding what blood pressure is, and what your numbers are, is an important first step. Work with your health care provider to determine your individual blood pressure goals and treatment plan if your numbers are too high.

2. Eat right – A diet with excessive sodium (salt) can lead to higher blood pressure. Check food labels before you buy and choose foods with less than 400 mgs of sodium per serving.

3. Stay active – By being active at least 30 minutes a day at least 5 times a week, you can help reduce your blood pressure.  

4. Reduce stress – A stressful situation can increase blood pressure for a short period of time. Try to reduce the occurrence of these situations and look for healthy ways - like meditation or walking - to help you deal with stress.

5. Set alcohol limits and eliminate tobacco – Over time, consuming a high amount of alcohol can damage the heart. Tobacco use and secondhand smoke can immediately raise blood pressure levels and cause damage to the lining of arteries. If you’re interested in quitting tobacco, call the Maine Tobacco HelpLine 1-800-207-1230. 

6. Take medication – Your doctor may recommend taking a blood pressure medication to keep levels steady. Be sure to follow the directions provided for taking the medications to ensure you’re getting the most benefit from them.

Through Measure Up/Pressure Down®, you are encouraged to measure, monitor and maintain your blood pressure level to stay in control of this health condition. If you don’t know your blood pressure and want more information to determine if you might be at risk for high blood pressure, visit MaineHeartHealth.org.

Know your numbers: Blood pressure

About 1 in 3 Mainers are told they have high blood pressure, also called hypertension.  Many people do not know they have it because there are usually no symptoms.  High blood pressure is like having high pressure in a pipe.  It damages the pipe, but you often don't see a problem until it bursts.

What is a normal blood pressure?

A normal blood pressure is less than 120 (top number) over 80 (bottom number).  After that, the higher the numbers, the more at risk you are for health problems.

Blood Pressure Category	Top Number (Systolic)		Bottom Number (Diastolic)
Normal	Less than 120	and	Less than 80
Prehypertension	120-139	or	80-89
Hypertension	140 or higher	or	90 or higher

What can you do to prevent high blood pressure?

There are risk factors that you cannot change like age and family history.  Below are risk factors that you can control:

• Have your blood pressure checked.  It should be checked at least every two years since there are often no symptoms. Talk with your health care provider to see if you need to have it checked more often. 
• Prevent and manage diabetes.  60% of people with diabetes also have high blood pressure.
• Eat a healthy diet.  Add lots of fruits and vegetables.  Limit foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Avoid sodium (salt).  Limit the amount of salt you add to your food.  Many processed foods/restaurant meals are high in sodium.
• Maintain a healthy weight.  Being overweight can raise your blood pressure.
• Be physically active.  Exercise for 30 minutes each day.
• Do not use tobacco products.  It injures blood vessels and speeds up hardening of the arteries.
• Limit alcohol use.  If you drink alcohol, try to consume less.
• If you have high blood pressure, treat it.  Your healthcare provider can make a plan that is right for you.

Million Hearts Initiative

Million Hearts® is a national effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts® brings together communities, health systems, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and private-sector partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke.  To learn more about the initiative or to make the commitment visit: www.millionhearts.hhs.gov.

For more information about heart disease visit:http://mainehearthealth.org/.

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Most of us know someone who has had a heart attack or stroke. In Maine, more than 1 of every 4 deaths is from heart disease or stroke.

 

You can help protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease and stroke by understanding the risks and taking these steps

• Know your ABCS
• Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day
• Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, if you do, work with your doctor to treat it
• If you Smoke, get help to quit ~ Maine Tobacco Helpline 1-800-207-1230
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and transfat
• Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

What else can you do?

 

Heart Month is a great time to learn about the Million Hearts Campaign.

 

Million Hearts is a national campaign with the goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.

For more about heart disease and stroke visit http://www.mainehearthealth.org/

National High Blood Pressure Education Month

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month.  About 1 in 3 Mainers is diagnosed with high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension.  High blood pressure usually has no symptoms but it can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and blindness.  Since there are usually no symptoms, many people have high blood pressure and do not know it.

You are more likely to have high blood pressure if you…

·         Are over 55 years old

·         Have a family history of high blood pressure

·         Are overweight

·         Eat foods high in salt/sodium

·         Do not exercise regularly

·         Smoke

·         Drink alcohol regularly

You can prevent and control high blood pressure

·         Get your blood pressure checked at least every year and encourage friends and family to do the same

·         If you have medicine for high blood pressure, use it as directed

·         Talk with your doctor to learn more about your blood pressure and staying healthy

·         If you have any of the risks mentioned above, make changes to reduce the risks you can

o        Stop smoking: Get free help to quit at the Maine Tobacco Helpline 1-800-207-1230

o        Limit your intake of sodium (salt)

o        Maintain a healthy weight: Eat healthy, limit portion sizes, eat more fruits and vegetables, and be physically active

o        Be physically active: Try to get at least 30 minutes of activity every day.
Find a walking route near you at http://www.healthymainewalks.org/

Remember anyone can develop high blood pressure and there usually are no symptoms.  Get your blood pressure checked regularly and do what you can to live a healthy life.

For more information visit the Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program Website http://www.mainehearthealth.org/ or contact David Pied, Public Health Educator at david.pied@maine.gov

Help us prevent one million heart attacks and strokes nationally over five years, visit http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/

Stroke Awareness Month (2012)

May is National Stroke Awareness Month.  Nearly 75% of strokes occur in people who are 65 years and older.  It is important for you to know the symptoms so you can react quickly if someone has a stroke. 

Know the Symptoms, it could save a life
Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical – time lost is brain lost.
Stroke symptoms include SUDDEN

·        Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg

·        Slurred speech

·        Blurred vision

·        Dizziness or loss of balance

·        Severe headache

Rapid treatment by emergency medical providers is important to survival and recovery. 
At any sign of stroke: Call 911 immediately

Lower your risk of having a Stroke
You can help protect yourself and loved ones from stroke by knowing the risks and taking these steps

·         Know your ABCS

o        Ask your doctor if you should take Aspirin every day

o        Find out if you have high Blood Pressure or Cholesterol, if you do, work with your doctor to treat it

o        If you Smoke, get help to quit   

·         Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days

·         Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and transfat

·         Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

For more information visit the Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program Website www.mainehearthealth.org or contact david.pied@maine.gov

Help us prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over five years http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/