The silent killer: Control high blood pressure in your family

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There is some really good news about high blood pressure that you simply must hear.

"This silent killer can be prevented, and in the majority of patients who already have high blood pressure, it can be controlled," says Dr. George Mensah, director of the Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. "Our research supports these two facts."

Recent studies suggest that nine out of 10 people with high blood pressure can control it; however, only about half of the people in the United States with high blood pressure do so.

"We need to understand, develop and scale up strategies to support patients and their health-care providers to achieve higher control rates," says Mensah. Many lives can be saved by controlling high blood pressure rates, according to Mensah. For example, effectively controlling high blood pressure in 10 percent more patients can save about 14,000 lives every year in the United States.

Work also must be done to prevent high blood pressure in children. Most babies and children have normal blood pressure. In fact, 90 percent of girls and 80 percent of boys in the United States have healthy blood pressure levels.

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"This is good news because if prevention begins in childhood, we have the greatest chance of most children growing into adulthood without developing high blood pressure," says Mensah.

Anyone, including children and teens, can develop high blood pressure. The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with advancing age. And although high blood pressure is more common in African-Americans, it can develop in anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender.

In most people, a specific cause of high blood pressure cannot be identified. Factors associated with high blood pressure include a family history of high blood pressure; a diet high in salt; not enough exercise; stress; some sleep disorders; and drinking too much alcohol. It is important to talk with your health-care provider if you have any of these factors.

Additionally, everyone should follow these steps:

* Follow a healthy diet. Limit the amount of salt and alcohol you consume.

* Be active. Regular physical activity can lower high blood pressure and reduce your risk for other health problems.

* Maintain a healthy weight. Staying at a healthy weight can help you control high blood pressure and reduce your risk for other health problems.

* Learn to manage and cope with stress. Learning how to manage stress, relax and cope with problems can improve your overall health.

* Check your blood pressure. The test is easy and painless and can be done at a health-care provider's office or clinic. Your health-care provider can tell you how often you should be tested.

* Know your family history. Figure out if a blood relative such as a mother, father, sister or brother has or had high blood pressure. This will help you determine if you are at a higher risk of developing it.

Many people who adopt these healthy lifestyle habits may prevent high blood pressure or delay its onset. And if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is important that you work with your health care provider for lifelong blood pressure control and follow your treatment plan closely. Early and ongoing treatment may help you avoid heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other high blood pressure-related problems.