The Fight Against High Blood Pressure

National High Blood Pressure Education Month is a call to reflect, learn, and take meaningful action. It’s a chance to better understand the causes and treatments of high blood pressure — and to empower our communities with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their heart health and build a healthier future.

High blood pressure is a widespread condition — according to the American Heart Association, approximately 85 million Americans, or nearly one in three adults over the age of 20, are affected. Disturbingly, nearly 20% of those with high blood pressure are unaware they have it.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of several serious health conditions:

• Heart Attack: Around 70% of individuals experiencing their first heart attack have high blood pressure.
• Stroke: High blood pressure is present in nearly 80% of people who suffer their first stroke.
• Chronic Heart Failure: Approximately 70% of people living with chronic heart failure also have high blood pressure.
• Kidney Disease: High blood pressure is both a risk factor for and a consequence of chronic kidney disease.

How to Make an Impact

As a physician, you hold a vital and influential role in the fight against high blood pressure. Beyond diagnosing and treating hypertension, you have the opportunity to shape long-term health outcomes and promote lasting change, both for individual patients and the broader community. Here’s how you can make a lasting impact:

1. Diagnose
   • Complete multiple readings across 2 or more visits
   • Take accurate BP using appropriate BP assessment techniques
2. Education
   • Educate Patients
     • Use visual aids such as BP numbers chart, heart/artery diagrams
     • Explain what the numbers mean and their goal BP
     • Empower patients to track their readings and bring a log to visits
     • Reinforce that control is lifelong but possible
3. Treatment Options
   • Encourage regular blood pressure monitoring at home
   • Lifestyle Changes
     • Diet
     • Regular physical activity
     • Weight loss
     • Limit alcohol consumption
     • Smoking cessation
   • Medications

Sources:

American Heart Association. (n.d.). American Heart Association. www.heart.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). High blood pressure. www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure

National Committee for Quality Assurance. (2017, May 5). May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. www.ncqa.org/blog/4175-2