Cindy Smith, Associate Extension Agent, Red River Parish, reminds everyone that high blood pressure (HBP) affects more than 65 million—or 1 in 3—American adults. HBP often has no warning signs or symptoms. Once it occurs, it usually lasts a lifetime. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart and kidney disease, stroke and blindness.
Take the opportunity in May to get your blood pressure checked and learn more about HBP and how it affects the body, and how to control high blood pressure. Here are some resources from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) that can help you get started:
o Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure web site: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gove/hbp
o NHLBI’s Diseases and Conditions Index article on HBP http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/
Hbp/HBP_WhatIs.html
Take action now to prevent and control high blood pressure. It can help you avoid a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness. For more information, talk to your doctor or go to http://nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/iondex.html.