Doing Enough for High Blood Pressure?

Most people diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension)
could do more to control it.

That's according to a CDC report released today.

Data came from more than 101,000 adults in 20 states who were interviewed
via telephone in 2005.

More than 24,400 participants said they had been told at least twice by a
doctor or other health professional that they had high blood pressure.

Participants with high blood pressure answered these five questions:

• Are you changing your eating habits to help lower or control your high
  blood pressure?


• Are you cutting down on salt to help lower or control your high blood
  pressure?


• Are you reducing alcohol use to help lower or control your high blood
  pressure?


• Are you exercising to help lower or control your high blood pressure?


• Are you currently taking medicine for your high blood pressure?

Nearly 30% hadn't changed their eating habits. About 20% hadn't cut back on
salt or alcohol. More than 30% didn't exercise. About 25% weren't taking
medicine for their blood pressure.

The study appears in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report.

What's Your Blood Pressure?

Nearly 30% of U.S. adults had high blood pressure in 2001-2004, and 70% of
them didn't have their condition under control, the CDC notes.

Consistently high blood pressure makes the heart work harder. Controlling
high blood pressure may help prevent heart attack, stroke, heart failure,
kidney failure, and other health problems.

High blood pressure usually doesn't have noticeable symptoms. Don't know
your blood pressure numbers? A quick blood pressure test will tell you where
you stand.

If your blood pressure is high, your doctor can help you design a plan to
bring your blood pressure down to a safer level.

By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Louise Chang
B)2005-2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved