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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Here's the straight scoop about high blood pressure By Dr. Elizabeth Smoots Herald Columnist Myths and facts about high blood pressure: Myth: Signs such as sweating, nervousness or fatigue indicate you have high blood pressure. Fact: High blood pressure can take you by surprise. The condition usually starts slowly and silently without symptoms. It isn't until later that serious signs may develop such as heart disease, stroke or kidney failure. Other associated problems include hardening of the arteries, congestive heart failure and, in some cases, blindness. But these complications are preventable with early detection of high blood pressure. It starts with having your blood pressure checked at least every two years, says the National Institutes of Health, or more often on your doctor's advice. If it's elevated, ask about monitoring or treatment options. Myth: High blood pressure is a disease of men. Fact: Young or middle-aged men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure. But after age 55, women have a higher rate than men. Overall, nearly half of the 73 million adults in this country with high blood pressure are women. Certain factors may place women at higher risk than men. Taking the birth-control pill, especially if you smoke, may contribute to hypertension. Pregnancy can too, since a blood pressure disorder called pre-eclampsia occasionally develops in the past few months. Obesity, family history and African-American race are other factors that may raise a woman's chance of developing hypertension more than a man's. Myth: With modern medical care, hypertension is no longer a major issue in this country. Fact: Nearly one in three Americans now has high blood pressure, a number that has surged 30 percent in the past 10 years. What's to blame? Increasing obesity, inactivity, and more aging adults are behind the rise in high blood pressure, according to a report in the journal Hypertension. The conclusions are based on results from a government survey of more than 4,000 adults. Participants with a blood pressure greater than 140/90 on at least two occasions were classified as hypertensive in the study. Myth: Lifestyle habits don't make much difference in lowering blood pressure. Fact: Prescription medication is the main way to reduce blood pressure and prevent complications. But only about a third of patients with hypertension reach the recommended goal of less than 140/90. Not taking medicine as prescribed is often the culprit. Another frequently overlooked factor is the failure to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. According to the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, five simple steps have been proven to lower blood pressure. The five steps are: Lose excess weight -- even a 10-pound weight loss can help. Limit salt intake to no more than 2,400 milligrams (about a teaspoon) in a day. With your doctor's approval, exercise moderately for 30 to 60 minutes at least five days a week. Limit alcoholic drinks to two a day for men, or one for women. And follow a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, eating plan, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, beans, fish, lean meat and low-fat dairy products. Myth: Home blood pressure monitors are superfluous. Fact: Everyone with high blood pressure should own a home monitor and do regular pressure checks, according to a recent advisory from the American Heart Association. The readings can help patients and their doctors fine-tune the treatment for high blood pressure. The association recommends an automatic cuff-style upper arm monitor. Have your doctor's office check the accuracy initially and at least once a year. For more information: American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org. Contact Dr. Elizabeth Smoots at doctor@practicalprevention.com. © 2008 Elizabeth S. Smoots

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