May Is National High Blood Pressure Education Month

A Graphic Of A Heart Being Monitored With The Words:

It’s never too early to take control of your blood pressure, learn ways to control your health, and improve your longevity. This National High Blood Pressure Education Month, celebrate by learning more about high blood pressure (hypertension), and ways in which you can improve your numbers and improve your health.

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May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH), May is High Blood Pressure Education Month. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious risk factor for heart disease. Unfortunately, roughly half of Americans have high blood pressure, and many remain unaware of it.

National High Blood Pressure Education Month strives to educate the public about the dangers of hypertension, to raise awareness, and to provide educational information on ways to prevent and/or manage your blood pressure.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

According to the Cleveland Clinic, high blood pressure can be caused by many lifestyle and medical factors, such as:

An unhealthy diet
Lack of physical activity
Consuming too much alcohol
Some medications, such as immunosuppressants, NSAIDS, or oral contraceptives
Obstructive sleep apnea
Tobacco use (including vaping)
Renal vascular diseases
Recreational drug use
Primary aldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome)

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

The Mayo Clinic notes that high blood pressure does not normally cause symptoms until your blood pressure is dangerously high. People can go for many years without even being aware they have high blood pressure. However, some with high blood pressure may experience:

Headaches
Shortness of breath
Nosebleeds

Why is High Blood Pressure So Dangerous?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the longer high blood pressure goes untreated, the more damage is done to your blood vessels and organs. This damage can eventually become life-threatening. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to one or more of the following conditions:

A heart attack
A stroke
An aneurysm
Heart failure
Damage to the kidneys
Narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes
Metabolic syndrome
Dementia

How To Prevent High Blood Pressure and Its Associated Risks

While certain medical conditions and family history are risk factors (that you cannot necessarily control), there are many ways to prevent high blood pressure and/or lower your blood pressure before it affects your overall health and becomes life-threatening.

The following all contribute to preventing and/or treating high blood pressure:

Maintaining a Healthy Diet

The biggest dietary requirement for improved blood pressure is reducing your salt/sodium intake. The Cleveland Clinic recommends limiting your salt intake to under 1,500 milligrams a day. Maintaining a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting salt, excess sugar, processed foods, and fatty foods can result in improved health and reduced blood pressure. You can also consider the DASH diet.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese can negatively affect your blood pressure. Luckily, according to the Mayo Clinic, if you’re overweight, even just losing 5 pounds can lower your blood pressure. If you continue to lose weight, this progress is likely to continue.

Staying Active

Even if you have to start with only 10 minutes a day, finding a way to get up and be active every day can improve your blood pressure and overall health.

Quitting Drinking or at Least Limiting Alcohol Consumption

Drinking more than one drink (two drinks for men) per day can increase blood pressure.

Getting Regular Checkups

Regularly seeing your doctor to have your blood pressure monitored, and to discuss your other risk factors, is crucial for maintaining your health and longevity.

Early Detection of Coronary Artery Disease is Critical

The Mayo Clinic notes that coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common type of heart disease caused by a buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries that lead to the heart. Coronary artery disease is often caused by issues such as high blood pressure, smoking, and/or a lack of physical activity. Early detection of heart disease of any kind is vital to:

Reduce the likelihood of a heart attack and stroke
Extend longevity
Reduce healthcare costs

How Preventative Diagnostics Center in Las Vegas Can Help

Getting a heart scan with a calcium score test can let you know if there is any plaque buildup in your arteries. This way, you and your doctor can work out a treatment plan before the buildup causes any more problems. If you’ve already been struggling with high blood pressure for a while, and are concerned about the effects, consider asking your doctor about a heart scan.

Preventative Diagnostic Center offers non-invasive heart scans at affordable prices. At the Preventative Diagnostic Center, you can receive compassionate care without a doctor’s referral.

What To Expect From a Heart Scan and Calcium Score Test

During a heart scan and calcium score at the Preventative Diagnostic Center, 4 EKG electrodes will be placed on your chest, and you will lie on a table. The CT scanner is shaped like a giant donut that moves around you to take the pictures. When everything is in the right position, your CT technician will tell you when you need to stay perfectly still, and hold your breath to get the best pictures.

The actual scan only takes ten seconds; the whole appointment takes between 10-15 minutes. Patients are encouraged to avoid caffeine for four hours before the scan, and to wear comfortable clothing for ideal image quality.

This National High Blood Pressure Education Month, celebrate by visiting your doctor to have your blood pressure monitored. Whether your blood pressure is ideal, slightly elevated, or beginning to be a concern, strive to make lifestyle adjustments to improve your numbers. If you’re concerned about the effects high blood pressure may have already had on your body, consider looking into a heart scan.