According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a condition that can be prevented, yet it affects 47 percent of all Americans. It also increases the risk of heart disease and strokes, both of which are leading causes of death in the country.

One of the reasons why people may not be taking steps to prevent it is because they simply don’t know that they have it, which is why it’s known as the “silent killer.” To help remedy this problem, May has been designated as National High Blood Pressure and Stroke Awareness Month.

Facts You Should Know About High Blood Pressure

The following are a few facts about hypertension that everyone should be aware of:

• Only 24 percent of Americans with hypertension have it under control.
  
• Hypertension was the primary cause or contributing factor of death in 2019 in the U.S., having been linked to 516,955 deaths.
  
• Around 50 percent of men have hypertension, while 44 percent of women have it.
  
• If left uncontrolled or undetected, hypertension can cause a number of other issues as well, including heart failure, angina, vision loss, kidney disease, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and sexual dysfunction.

How to Manage Your Hypertension

The following are a few ways to control your hypertension and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Blood pressure tends to increase when your weight increases. If you’re overweight, losing a few pounds can make all the difference.
  
• Exercise on a regular basis: Not only can exercise help you maintain a healthy weight, but it can also help to lower your blood pressure directly as well.
  
• Eat healthily: Again, eating right can help you maintain a healthy weight, but cutting certain things out of your diet, such as foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats, can help lower your blood pressure.
  
• Stop smoking: Smoking increases your blood pressure, so be sure to quit if you’re a smoker.

Get Your Blood Pressure Checked Today

To reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease, be sure to schedule a regular check-up with your primary doctor to check your blood pressure. If you have hypertension, you can begin taking steps to live a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. For more health awareness information, keep visiting us at The Benefits Store.