Protect Your Heart! Prevent High Blood Pressure

Anyone can develop high blood pressure, also called hypertension. African Americans are at higher risk for this serious disease than any other race or ethnic group. High blood pressure tends to be more common, happens at an earlier age, and is more severe for many African Americans. The good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled‹and better yet, it can be prevented!

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your blood vessels. Your blood pressure is at its greatest when your heart contracts and is pumping blood. This is systolic blood pressure. When your heart rests between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure is always given as these two numbers: the systolic and diastolic pressures. The numbers are usually written one above or before the other, with systolic first, for example, 120/80.

Is high blood pressure really a big deal?

YES! When your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder than it should to pump blood to all parts of the body. High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because most people feel healthy and don't even know that they have it. If it is not treated, high blood pressure can cause:

• stroke
• heart attack
• kidney problems
• eye problems
• death

Know your number

• Have your blood pressure checked. It is easy, quick, and painless.
  
• Your blood pressure should be checked by your health care provider at least once each year.
  
• If you have high blood pressure, it should be checked more often. You can have your blood pressure checked at your doctor's office, your neighborhood clinic, health fairs at your church, or some shopping malls.
  

Prevent high blood pressure.
If your blood pressure is not high now, take steps to prevent it from becoming high. Here's how:

Aim for a healthy weight

• Choose foods lower in fat and calories.
  
• Eat smaller portions.
  
• Try not to gain extra weight. Lose weight if you are overweight. Try losing weight slowly, about 1/2 to 1 pound each week until you reach a healthy weight.
  
• Be physically active every day.

Eat less salt and sodium

• Read the food label. Choose foods with less salt and sodium.