Are You At Risk From The Silent Killer?
It’s silent. It’s deadly. It cost the United States more than $76 billion in 2010. Yet it’s inexpensive and easy to treat.
It’s high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. About one in three American adults have high blood pressure. Unfortunately, the numbers are increasing, putting more people at a greater risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in the U.S., as well as for congestive heart failure and kidney disease.
Blood pressure is a measure of the force of your blood on the walls of your arteries. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. The first number refers to the pressure when the heart is beating; the second number measures the pressure when the heart is at rest. A consistent reading above 140/90 is considered high blood pressure.
Hypertension is often called The Silent Killer because there are usually no signs or symptoms, even when a person’s blood pressure is dangerously high. That’s the reason it’s so important to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis by your doctor. Talk To Your Doctor
If you have high blood pressure, there are many changes you can make to help control it, from losing weight to starting an exercise program. Medications can also be very effective in controlling hypertension. About two thirds of Americans with high blood pressure use medications to treat their condition. Talk to your doctor to find out what you can do to treat your hypertension. If you do not have a primary care physician, contact our hospital. We’ll be glad to help you find one.
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