Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Approximately 1 in 3 adults in America are dealing with a silent killer – high blood pressure. This dangerous condition often has no warning signs and can lead to many long term health problems and even death.
People with high blood pressure are at a higher risk for
– Stroke
– Heart disease
– Heart attacks
– Problems with blood vessels in the legs
While most people don’t have symptoms with high blood pressure, some people may experience headaches, dizzy spells, fluttering of the heart, swelling in the legs and thighs. “If you have any of those symptoms, and those are new symptoms for you, have your blood pressure checked by your doctor,” says SIU internal medicine physician Dr. Susan Hingle.
The good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled. How can you lower your blood pressure?
– Exercise
– Low sodium diet
– Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
– Find ways to reduce stress
Visit the CDC’s website for more information about high blood pressure.
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois