May is High Blood Pressure Education Month

Did you know that high blood pressure affects people of all ages? About 1 in 3 Americans have it, but don’t even know it. Yet when uncontrolled, this common condition, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease.

High blood pressure develops when blood flows through the arteries at higher than normal pressures.  Age, family history, race and ethnicity, stress, and unhealthy lifestyle choices can increase your risk of developing it. That’s why the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) encourages everyone to take action to prevent or control high blood pressure.

7 Ways to Keep Your Blood Pressure Healthy
You can start by adopting heart-healthy habits, including:

• Being more physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Following a heart-healthy diet such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress
• Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep
• Knowing and tracking your heart health numbers, like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels

You can stay aware of your blood pressure by having it checked at each visit with your healthcare provider. A healthy blood pressure is typically less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your numbers are high, work with your provider to learn about ways you can lower it. Your healthcare provider may suggest regularly self-measuring your blood pressure – usually at home.

If you’re planning to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or recently had a baby, it’s especially important to manage your blood pressure, as well as your overall heart health. Ask your provider: Are my blood pressure numbers normal? Am I at risk for developing heart problems during or after pregnancy?

Learning more about high blood pressure is the first step you can take to help reduce your risks and improve your health, and NHLBI’s The Heart Truth® program has educational resources that can make that easier.

Visit nhlbi.nih.gov/hypertension to find information and tools to help you track your numbers, know what questions to ask your provider, learn how to get an accurate reading, and better understand how to prevent or control high blood pressure.