Controlling Blood Pressure Can Reduce Risk of Stroke, Heart Failure and Other Serious Problems

Christopher McCarthy, M.D.
Specialist in Clinical Hypertension
The Hypertension Center of St. Louis

When you go to a cocktail party there’s a chance that the conversation may turn to health and you may be asked, “What is your cholesterol?” The question you almost surely will not be asked is, “What is your blood pressure?” Ironically, you are much more likely to have high blood pressure (hypertension) than you are to have heart disease or diabetes.

More than 50 million Americans have hypertension, making it the most common reason adults visit their physician. Sadly, only about 25 percent of these people have their blood pressure down to the recommended levels. This leaves millions of Americans at risk to develop the complications of untreated or poorly treated hypertension.

These complications include an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure and dementia. Both men and women with hypertension more likely to develop problems with sexual function. Having hypertension doubles your risk of developing diabetes and vice-versa.

So why is hypertension so difficult to control? Getting your blood pressure to the recommended levels requires a partnership between you and your physician. Your physician’s responsibility is to prescribe you medications that are as inexpensive as possible, simple to take and have little or no side-effects.

Your responsibility is to exercise regularly, reduce your salt intake, keep your weight down, drink only moderately and not smoke. Most of all, take your medication as prescribed. If you have a home blood pressure machine, check your pressure two or three times a week, especially in the morning when your blood pressure is the highest. If you do not have a blood pressure machine, consider buying one. Frequently a person’s blood pressure in the doctor’s office is higher than at home. If you have a lot of home readings, this will help your physician make the right decisions regarding your blood pressure.

The benefits of controlling your blood pressure are many. You will dramatically reduce your risk of the complications of hypertension. By preventing problems in the future, such as stroke and heart failure, you will actually save yourself lots of money in the long run. Be prepared to take two or even three medications to control your blood pressure. Hypertension is a complex illness and frequently a person needs multiple medications to control it.

The more you live a healthy lifestyle, the less medication you may have to take. Be a part of the treatment of your hypertension. Don’t let it steal part of your life from you.

Back to News and Events