Make Blood Pressure Control Your Goal
This American Heart Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Million Hearts®–are encouraging Americans to know their blood pressure, and if it’s high, to make control their goal.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. In fact, more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are 4 times more likely to die from a stroke and 3 times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with normal blood pressure.
High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why you should come in today and have your blood pressure checked. It’s important! And it’s easy to get your blood pressure checked. You can get screened here at Buckhead Urgent Care & Atlanta Primary Care or at drugstores, or even check it yourself at home, using a home blood pressure monitor.
Work with your healthcare team to make sure you meet your blood pressure goal.
Make Control Your Goal
If you know you have high blood pressure, take these steps to help get it under control.
- Ask our doctors what your blood pressure should be. Set a goal to lower your pressure with your doctor and talk about how you can reach your goal. Track your blood pressure over time. One way to do that is with this free wallet card from Million Hearts®.
- Take your blood pressure medicine as directed. Set a timer on your phone to remember to take your medicine at the same time each day. If you are having trouble taking your medicines on time or paying for your medicines, or if you are having side effects, ask your doctor for help.
- Quit smoking and if you don’t smoke, don’t start.
- Reduce sodium intake. Most Americans consume too much sodium, which can raise blood pressure. Read about ways to reduce your sodium and visit the Million Hearts® Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Resource Center for heart-healthy, lower-sodium recipes, meal plans, and helpful articles.
African American Men: Take Note
Heart disease can affect anyone, but certain factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, and geographic location may increase the risk. African American men, for example, experience some of the highest rates of heart disease. Nearly two out of five African Americans have high blood pressure, and only about half of those cases are adequately controlled.
Research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine also shows that adults aged 30 to 74 who live in parts of the Southeast, including Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia, face a higher ten year risk of developing heart disease compared with people living in other regions of the United States. Several of these states also have a higher proportion of African American residents, which may contribute to regional disparities in cardiovascular outcomes.
Man to Man: Heart to Heart
Roosevelt had been smoking for many years when he experienced a heart attack at the age of 45. The damage caused by smoking led to six surgeries, including coronary bypass surgery. Now that he has quit smoking, he shares his experience to encourage others to stop as a way to lower their risk of heart disease.
“A heart attack feels like someone is squeezing your heart from the inside,” he recalls. “It’s like the worst muscle cramp you can imagine, but it’s happening in your chest.”
Roosevelt also emphasizes the importance of support during the quitting process. “If you have people who care about you, they will stand by you. Focus on getting through one day at a time,” he says.