"High blood pressure is known as the silent killer"" because it often has no symptoms. Left uncontrolled "
High blood pressure (hypertension) is called the silent killer. This is because many people who have it don't know it. You can take an easy test to see if your blood pressure is too high. If it is high, you can take steps to lower it. Doing so could save your life.
High blood pressure means the pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. Understand blood pressure numbers and how they are categorized. Learn if you are at a risk of developing high blood pressure and what you can do if you have it. © AHA
Your health care professional has prescribed medicine to help lower your blood pressure. Depending on your risk and blood pressure levels, you may need one or more types of medicine to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. © AHA
In the U.S. African Americans have a higher prevalence of high blood pressure than other racial and ethnic groups. Understand what blood pressure is, how high blood pressure can affect you, and what can be done about your blood pressure. © AHA
By treating high blood pressure, you can help reduce your risk for a stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. Know what steps you can take to treat high blood pressure and the lifestyle changes you can make to do so. © AHA
Learn the steps to take to receive an accurate blood pressure reading. A printable blood pressure tracker is provided. © AHA
You can take your own blood pressure reading using a digital monitor. Follow these step-by-step directions.
Review this sheet to learn how to get an accurate blood pressure reading and to understand in what blood pressure category your reading falls. © AHA
Measure your blood pressure twice a day and document your results in this log. Know what your blood pressure goal is and follow the helpful tips to receive the best results. © AHA
If you have diabetes, you are twice as likely to have high blood pressure. Left untreated, high blood pressure can raise your risk for heart disease and other serious health problems.
Blood thinners or anticoagulants are medicines that help prevent blood clots from forming. Your healthcare provider will help you decide which medicine is best for you. Read on to learn more about safely taking blood thinners.
High cholesterol, high blood pressure and being overweight are major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Understand that it's important to know your numbers, what you can do to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and how to manage your weight. © AHA
Having high blood pressure can damage your arteries. This puts you at risk for PAD. And it also puts you at high risk for heart attack and other heart diseases.
High blood pressure can damage your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. You and your doctor can manage your blood pressure with lifestyle changes and medicine.
High blood pressure that isn't controlled can damage the walls of the blood vessels in your body, including those in the kidneys.
Risk factors are things that make you more likely to have a disease or condition. Do you know your risk factors for high blood pressure?
By lowering high blood pressure, you can reduce the amount of damage to your kidneys, and help slow any progression of kidney disease. Visit your healthcare provider as scheduled and follow the tips below.
Each day that your blood pressure is too high, your chances of having a stroke are increased.
High blood pressure means that the force of the blood pushing against the blood vessel walls is consistently in the high range. Uncontrolled HBP can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. © AHA
The more conventional anticoagulants are warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin. DOACs are a newer class of medications that may be more convenient to take if you are a suitable candidate for them. © AHA
Anticoagulants and antiplatelets are medicines that reduce blood clotting in an artery, vein or the heart. Doctors prescribe these to help prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots. Blood clots can block blood flow to your heart or your brain causing a heart attack or stroke. © AHA
High cholesterol can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. If you're 20 or older, you should have your traditional risk factors (including cholesterol) checked every four to six years. If certain factors put you at risk, or you already have heart disease, your doctor may ask you to check it more often. © AHA
This test measures how much sodium you have in your blood. Too much or too little can lead to health problems like high blood pressure.
Keeping your blood pressure within acceptable ranges can keep you healthier longer. Levels less than 120/80 mm Hg are optimal. High blood pressure is defined as 130-139 mm Hg systolic pressure (the top number in a reading) or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic pressure (bottom number). © AHA
After you have an aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) repair, the pressure inside your belly (abdomen) is at risk for increasing. High pressure in your abdomen lowers the blood flow to your organs.
High cholesterol is called hypercholesterolemia. Cholesterol and dietary fat are not the same thing. It's important to understand how the fat in your diet affects your cholesterol levels.
People with low blood levels of potassium and those with high blood pressure may be prescribed a high-potassium diet. This sheet can get you started.
Metabolic syndrome is a set of 5 health factors that can lead to serious health problems. The factors greatly increase your risk for diabetes, heart attack, or stroke. High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the factors of metabolic syndrome.
Too much sugar (glucose) in your blood is called high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). It can be caused by eating too much food, especially carbohydrates, by not being active, or by not taking your medicine.
Without glucose you wouldn't be able to study, play, or even eat or think. But if too much glucose builds up in your blood, you can feel sick. This is called high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). High blood sugar happens when you eat too much or don't take enough insulin.
Eating healthy foods, losing weight if you need to, and being physically active can reduce your cholesterol. Some people may also need to take medicine. Your doctor and nurses will help you set a plan for reducing your cholesterol and keeping yourself healthy! © AHA
If you have been high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), it may be because of an infection or other illness, eating too many sweets or starches, or not taking enough insulin. This sheet can help you care for yourself at home.
See the 8 steps to measuring your blood pressure at home.
Having high blood sugar increases the chance of complications from diabetes. Here's what you need to know.
This test looks for changes in how well your kidneys are working. This is especially important if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency. It means you have dangerously high blood pressure that could result in organ damage.
Here are images showing how to treat high blood sugar when you have diabetes.
When your blood pressure is lower than normal, you have hypotension. I can make you dizzy or faint. Home care can help you manage this condition.