What is hypertension?
Hypertension means “high blood pressure.” High blood pressure (HBP) is when the force of the blood pushing on the blood vessel walls is too high. When someone has high blood pressure:
- The heart must pump harder.
- The arteries (blood vessels that carry the blood away from the heart) are strained as they carry blood.
- Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of death in the United States.
- Once you have primary hypertension, you usually have it for life.
Preventing High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, known as the “silent killer”, affects nearly half of U.S. adults (CDC, 2020).
We use a 12-week evidence-based hypertension management program designed to help you take ownership of your cardiovascular health.
In addition to lowering blood pressure, following the DASH Diet can reduce risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, and some cancers.
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension), your doctor may advise you to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.
There are many health benefits of being active, and among them are proven benefits to your heart and circulatory system.
Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals; hundreds are harmful, and about 70 can cause cancer.
Stress makes us more likely to overeat or eat unhealthy foods, drink too much alcohol, smoke, and engage in other risky behaviors that are known to have a bad effect on high blood pressure.
Look for the Heart-Check mark to quickly and easily identify foods that can be part of a heart-healthy eating plan.