5 Surprising Facts About High Blood Pressure

At this point, whether you or your loved one suffers from high blood pressure, you already know the drill. You know that having high blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of death in the United States.

As you do your best to treat and regulate your blood pressure during High Blood Pressure Awareness Month, we wanted to fill you in on 5 new surprising facts about this condition thanks to new research that you should be aware of!

1)Young people can have high blood pressure

One of the most common misconceptions about high blood pressure is that it’s a chronic condition that occurs once you’ve hit a certain age. Yet young people, in fact, about 1 in 4 men between the ages of 35 to 44 develop high blood pressure. This has also led to a rise in stroke among young people. Of course, it’s not a surprise that this is linked to the growing rate of obesity across the country. So, if your children or your loved one’s grandchildren are at risk, urge them to check their blood pressure more often!

2) High blood pressure may be linked to dementia

Studies have shown that the higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk of developing dementia. In fact, researchers say that having uncontrolled blood pressure as an older adult, 45 to 65 to be exact, increases your risk of dementia later in life.

3) Believe it or not, high blood pressure doesn’t have any symptoms

If not managed, having high blood can be extremely risky as it doesn’t result in any visible or physical symptoms. Yet, if unmanaged, it can trigger a sudden heart attack or stroke at any given time, and proves detrimental to your overall health, which has led it to be nicknamed the “silent killer”.

4) Women are more at risk of developing 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 of 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. 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).

5) 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. Most 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.5CDC 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.