Have you checked your blood pressure lately?
Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, the nation’s #1 cause of death.
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is one of the most common medical conditions Americans experience and a major contributor to heart attacks and stroke.
So, what exactly is blood pressure? Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and how blood flows through your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
People with hypertension commonly have no symptoms, so screening is essential. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get screened for hypertension at least once every two years.
Hypertension risk factors are usually external and include obesity, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, and stress. This means most adults can easily prevent and control high blood pressure on their own. The Mayo Clinic recommends these simple steps to prevent hypertension:
Visit your family doctor once a year to discuss your risk of hypertension, and manage your overall health and wellness. White-Wilson offers primary care doctors in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Navarre and Niceville. To find a primary care doctor or cardiologist, click here.