What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force with which blood presses against artery walls. You need some blood pressure to stay healthy. Without it, there's no way blood could make it around your body - from your feet and legs back to your heart, or from your heart to your brain. Throughout the day, your body adjusts your blood pressure. In some people, this adjustment gets out of balance, and their blood pressure stays too high all the time. They have the disease called hypertension.

This higher pressure can make your heart work harder than it should. Overtime, your heart can even wear out. High blood pressure can damage artery walls. Often they become hardened, scarred and clogged with fatty deposits called plaque. This narrowing makes high blood pressure even worst, and increases the chance of a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or blindness.

High blood pressure or hypertension, is a major health problem among African Americans, Asians, and Latinos. For example, about one in three African Americans has high blood pressure (compared with one in four Caucasians). It starts at an earlier age among African Americans and it tends to be worse. In fact, it's the leading cause of preventable deaths among African Americans.

High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" with good reason. It doesn't make you look or feel sick at first, and you can have it for years without any aches or pains. But all that time, high blood pressure is doing damage and hurting your health. It's very important to have your blood pressure checked often, especially if you are African American.

The good news? There's a lot you can do to help prevent high blood pressure. And if you have it, there's also a lot you and your doctor can do to bring it under control.

When is Blood Pressure Too High?
In general, blood pressure is too high if it measures above 140/90 (140 over 90) most of the time. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your chance of having a stroke.

The top number (systolic blood pressure) shows the force of the blood in your vessels when your heart pumps. The bottom number (diastolic blood pressure) shows the force of the blood in your vessels when your heart is between beats.

Things you can do.
There's a lot you can do to prevent high blood pressure, and if you already have it, these same steps will help you bring it under control.

Eat Smart
A low-fat diet will help. Build your meals around grains, vegetables and fruits. If you eat red meat, make it a rare treat, and go easy on the salt (ask your doctor how much salt is too much for you). Stay away from processed foods such as bologna, salami or cheese, salty foods such as salt pork, ham hocks, or hot sauce, and snacks such as potato chips and pickles. Be regular and consistent in your diet -- develop a plan and stick to it.

Exercise
Brisk walking, bicycling, and dancing are great for your blood pressure. Just 20 or 30 minutes most days will help. If you haven't been very active for a long time, though, check with your doctor first. Then start slowly and build up gradually.

Don't smoke
Smoking kills. Period. The nicotine in cigarette smoke raises your blood pressure and directly damages your arteries. Once you quit, your body begins to repair itself. If you can't quit "cold turkey," try a smoking cessation program. They help.

Watch your Weight.
If you weigh more than your should, drop those extra pounds. Regular exercise and smart eating will help. Do it slowly, though, and set reasonable goals for yourself. Stay clear of "crash" diets. They almost always fail. Ask your doctor what your weight goal should be.

Be Careful with Alcohol.
Studies show that a little alcohol may in fact be good for your heart. But too much can raise your blood pressure. What's too much? For men, more than two drinks a day; for women, more than one. A drink is a can of beer, a glass of wine, or one shot of hard liquor. But even a little alcohol may be too much for you if you're taking medication for high blood pressure. Alcohol can intensify the effect of some of these drugs. If you take medicine for high blood pressure and you also drink alcohol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects.

Reduce Stress
Too much stress, on the job or at home, is bad for your heart. It raises your blood pressure, and if it's already high, that can be dangerous. Exercise helps. Take breaks during the day to calm down. Set reasonable goals for yourself. Relax through deep breathing or meditation. And take time out for yourself.

Who gets high blood pressure?
Anyone can get it. In fact, over 60 million men and women in the U.S. have high blood pressure -- about one-fourth of all adults. Of that 60 million, perhaps only half -- 30 million -- know they have the disease. And of these, only about 15 million are getting the treatment they need.

High blood pressure more often strikes those who are:

• African American, Asian, Latino
  
• Middle-aged or elderly. Children and teenagers can also get high blood pressure.
  
• Overweight
  
• Heavy drinkers
  
• Taking certain drugs such as decongestants, diet pills or birth control pills
  
• Sedentary
  
• Smokers

Men tend to get high blood pressure earlier. Once a woman reaches menopause, however, her risk of getting high blood pressure rises to equal that of men. It's also very common for high blood pressure to run in families. If one or both of your parents or grandparents have high blood pressure, you're more likely to have it, too.

While there's nothing you can do about your race, age of family history, there is plenty you can do about the other things that increase your risk.

Where to find help?
Health Match is a free community service that can refer you to the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center physicians and services you need.
Call (510) 869-6777

The Health Ministry/Parish Nurse Program is a community service that coordinates blood pressure screenings and other health care services through local church congregations. For information about a participating congregation near you, call (510) 869-6763.

Other Resources:
Alameda Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) represents physicians in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The association keeps a list of members to whom patients can be referred for medical care.
Call (510) 654-5383

Sinkler-Miller Medical Association is a group of over 150 African American physicians in the East Bay. The Association provides referrals and a list of resources. Call (510) 763-2702.

American Heart Association provides resources, education, outreach programs, and research to fight heart disease and strokes.
Call 1-800-242-8721.

American Cancer Society provides education and information to support the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer.
Call 1-800-2277-2345.

American Lung Association provides referrals to lung cancer support groups and services, plus education about lung cancer. For the branch nearest you, and for information about resource libraries and videos, call 800-586-4872.

Alameda County Tobacco Control Unit is a service of Alameda County. It provides information on how to quit smoking, smoking cessation programs, and information on local smoking control ordinances.
Call (510) 268-GASP (4277)



Email: grayj@sutterhealth.org
Telephone:(510) 869-8219