Right now, more than 70 million American adults are living with hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Less than half of these Americans (47 percent) have their condition under control, which can lead to more serious health problems. In fact, more than 70 percent of people who have their first heart attack or stroke have high blood pressure.
To answer some of the most common questions about this silent killer is Dr. Brian Decker, an American Society of Hypertension certified hypertension specialist and registered pharmacist with Indiana University (IU) Health who is board-certified in nephrology (kidney diseases) and clinical pharmacology. Decker is also an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the IU School of Medicine.
What is hypertension (high blood pressure)? And how many Americans have it?
A health care provider will diagnose you with high blood pressure, or hypertension, when your blood pressure is above 140/90. A normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. It is estimated that approximately 76 million Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about high blood pressure?
Because there are usually no symptoms with high blood pressure, some people don’t see high blood pressure as a serious disease. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is a very serious disease that needs to be treated daily. Another misconception is that medications are the only way to treat high blood pressure. In addition to medications, a low sodium diet, weight loss and exercise are also important ways to help manage high blood pressure.
What are the symptoms and risk factors for high blood pressure? Is high blood pressure hereditary?
For most patients, high blood pressure does not have any symptoms. Risk factors for high blood pressure include having a family history of this disease, being overweight, not exercising regularly and eating a diet high in sodium. Scientists have discovered that high blood pressure can be hereditary.
Does high blood pressure affect some ethnic populations more than others? If so, why?
High blood pressure can be more common in some ethnic populations compared to others. Unfortunately, in the African-American community, high blood pressure is very common and also can be more severe. Scientists don’t know the reasons for this difference, but research is currently being done at the Indiana University School of Medicine to discover why.
I’ve heard high blood pressure is a gateway to the leading causes of death. Is that true? What kinds of problems could occur if one’s blood pressure is not controlled?
Yes, high blood pressure is the gateway to the leading causes of death. If high blood pressure is not adequately controlled, it can cause strokes, heart attacks and kidney disease.
Is there a cure for high blood pressure?
Currently, there is no cure for high blood pressure. However, with the right medications and changes in a patient’s lifestyle, such as a low sodium diet, weight loss and exercise, high blood pressure can be controlled.
Are there any local studies to explore this?
At the Indiana University School of Medicine, researchers are exploring ways to better understand high blood pressure and how to best treat it. Through this research, we hope to one day find an actual cure.
What are a few practical things someone can do to reduce their risk for high blood pressure?
Important and practical ways to reduce the risk for high blood pressure are to maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise and eat a diet low in sodium.
How much of a role does nutrition play?
Nutrition plays a big role in reducing the risk for high blood pressure and managing after it is diagnosed. A diet that is low in sodium is very important both to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and to help the blood pressure medications work better.
What special offerings does IU Health have in place to help patients with high blood pressure?
IU Health has recently started an Adult Hypertension Center to help patients manage their high blood pressure. The IU Health Hypertension Center has advanced tools to diagnose specific types of high blood pressure and doctors who have received special, advanced training to treat patients with high blood pressure.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment with the IU Health Adult Hypertension Center, call (317) 944-8660.
