High Blood Pressure A Major Contributor To Health Problems

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Thirty-five million people in the United States have high blood pressure, roughly about one half, are women, and according to the American Heart Association, they have certain characteristics that can be concerning.

Compared with men, women with high blood pressure are more likely to be obese and have high cholesterol levels.  They are also less likely than men to receive medication such as aspirin, blood pressure-lowing drugs, or cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Most people don't know that heart disease is the number one killer of women as well.  An estimated 480,000 women die of cardiovascular disease every single year.

The critical fact is that high blood pressure is a major contributor to problems. Please don't ignore the problem—get it treated.