National Blood Pressure Awareness Month

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the force of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels. Hypertension increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recognized by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National High Blood Pressure Awareness Month raises awareness about the impact of hypertension (healthinsight.org). High Blood Pressure Statistics

1 of 3	Adults have high blood pressure.
1 of 3	Adults with high blood pressure do not get treatment.
1 of 2	Adults with high blood pressure do not have it under control.

  While statistics show that adults are more likely to have hypertension, people of all ages, from birth to teens, can have high blood pressure as well. The American Heart Association recommends that all children have yearly blood pressure measurements in order to allow for early detection and intervention (heart.org).     Tips to prevent high blood pressure  

• Incorporate a healthy diet into your daily living
• Low sodium intake – Check the nutrition label for areas where sodium may be hidden
• Exercise at least 30 minutes per day
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night
• Avoid drinking/smoking

Please check out the American Heart Association’s news release on high blood pressure and COVID-19 here.   Resources:High Blood Pressure Fact SheetHigh Blood Pressure and StrokeDASH Low Sodium Diet