Blog

What you don’t know about high blood pressure could hurt you. High blood pressure affects one in three Americans,1 yet many people with the condition don’t know they have it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure raises the risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. Fortunately, high blood pressure is treatable and preventable. To lower your risk, get your blood pressure checked regularly and take action to control your blood pressure if it is too high. 1. High blood pressure may be linked to dementia. Recent studies show that high blood pressure is linked to a higher risk for dementia, a loss of cognitive function.2 Timing seems to matter: Some evidence suggests having uncontrolled high blood pressure during midlife (age 45 to 65) creates a higher risk for dementia later in life.3 The takeaway? It's never too early to start thinking about your blood pressure and taking steps to manage it. Mind Your Risks, a campaign from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is educating people about the importance of controlling high blood pressure in midlife. 2. Young people can have high blood pressure, too. High blood pressure doesn't just happen to older adults. About one in four men and nearly one in five women age 35 to 44 has high blood pressure.4 High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke, a condition that is on the rise among younger people. Experts think the increased risk for stroke among young adults is a direct result of the rising rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes—conditions that are preventable and treatable. Younger people should get their blood pressure checked at least once each year. You can get your blood pressure checked at a doctor's office, a pharmacy, or at many grocery stores. Many people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it. The only way to know is to check your blood pressure regularly. 3. High blood pressure usually doesn't have any symptoms. High blood pressure is sometimes called the "silent killer." Most people with high blood pressure don't have any symptoms, such as sweating or headaches. Because many people feel fine, they don't think they need to get their blood pressure checked. Even if you feel normal, your health may be at risk. Talk to your doctor about your risk for high blood pressure. 4. Many people who have high blood pressure don't know it. About 11 million U.S. adults with high blood pressure aren't even aware they have it and are not receiving treatment to control their blood pressure.1Most people with uncontrolled blood pressure have health insurance and visit a health care provider at least twice a year, but the condition remains undiagnosed, hidden from the doctor and patient.5 CDC is working with providers to find patients with high blood pressure who are " hiding in plain sight." Ask your provider what your blood pressure numbers mean and whether they are too high. Stick to your treatment plan and follow your provider's advice if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure. What You Can Do By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. A healthy lifestyle includes Eating a healthy diet Maintaining a healthy weight Getting enough physical activity Not smoking Limiting alcohol use Learn more about steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure. 5. Women and minorities face unique risks when it comes to high blood pressure. Women with high blood pressure who become pregnant are more likely to have complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. High blood pressure can harm a mother's kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. Certain types of birth control can also raise a woman's risk for high blood pressure. Women with high blood pressure who want to become pregnant should work with their health care team to lower their blood pressure before becoming pregnant. African American men and women have higher rates of high blood pressure than any other race or ethnic group.4 These individuals are also more likely to be hospitalized for high blood pressure. Experts think this is related to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and stroke among this group. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing sodium in your diet, getting more physical activity, and reducing stress, can help lower blood pressure (see sidebar). What CDC Is Doing CDC supports several public health efforts that address high blood pressure, including: Million Hearts®. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Million Hearts® is a national initiative with a goal to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes. CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services co-lead the initiative on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Million Hearts® provides toolkits for health care practitioners to help them find patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure and provide consistent, effective treatment for the condition. WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation). The WISEWOMAN programprovides low-income, under-insured, or uninsured women with chronic disease screenings, lifestyle programs, and referral services to prevent heart disease and stroke. CDC currently funds 21 WISEWOMAN programs, which operate on the local level in states and tribal organizations. Sodium Reduction in Communities Program (SRCP). A diet too high in sodium is associated with higher blood pressure. SRCPaims to increase access to lower sodium food options and reduce the amount of sodium Americans eat and drink each day. CDC currently funds 6 local communities and 4 state-level programs to carry out this work. References NHANES 2013-2014 unpublished estimates. CDC/DHDSP Million Hearts Hypertension tracking. Attems, J & Jellinger, KA (2014). The overlap between vascular disease and Alzheimer's disease – lessons from pathology.BMC Medicine; 12: 206. Muller, M, Sigurdsson, S, Kjartansson, O, Aspelund, T, Lopez, OL, Jonnson, PV, et al. (2014). Joint effect of mid- and late-life blood pressure on the brain: The AGES-Reykjavik Study. Neurology; 82(24): 2187–2195. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Power Down in May for National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Wall, HK, Hannan, JA and Wright, JS. (2014). Patients with undiagnosed hypertension: Hiding in plain sight. JAMA; 312(19):1973-1974. More Information CDC – High Blood Pressure American Heart Association – High Blood Pressure National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – High Blood Pressure

Chronic health conditions - such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and arthritis - are the leading causes of disability and death throughout the United States. More than 40% of adults suffer from a chronic disease, and chronic diseases are responsible for 23% of all hospitalizations. Six out of every 10 deaths in are caused by chronic diseases. Heart disease and cancer account for over half of all deaths. Although common and costly, many chronic diseases are also preventable. Many chronic diseases are linked to lifestyle choices that are within your own hands to change. Eating nutritious foods, becoming more physically active and avoiding tobacco can help keep you from developing many of these diseases and conditions. And, even if you already have diabetes, heart disease, arthritis or another chronic condition, eating more healthful food and getting more exercise, whether it's a brisk walk, a bike ride, a jog or a swim, can help you better manage your illness, avoid complications and prolong your life. HomeHealth24x7® offers a range of home health care options for a range of chronic health conditions, including: ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias Arthritis Asthma Cancer Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes Eating Disorders Heart Disease Obesity Oral Health Osteoporosis Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome Tobacco Use and Related Conditions Medicare coverage of home health care for chronic conditions If you are homebound and qualify for coverage based on a need for skilled care, Medicare should cover your home care from a Medicare-certified home health agency regardless of whether your condition is temporary or chronic. Although beneficiaries often hear otherwise, Medicare covers skilled nursing and therapy services intended to help you maintain your ability to function or to prevent or slow you from getting worse. Medicare should not deny home health care because your condition is chronic or stable or because the care will only maintain, not improve your ability to function. You can reach out to your local HomeHealth24x7® coordinator with any questions you have about care for chronic health conditions. We will compare your needs to the qualifications, experience, and personality of our carers, to find the ideal person to assist.