Nearly 73 percent of Pennsylvania adults surveyed in a recent Patient Poll conducted by the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society said they have their blood pressure checked only when they visit their doctor.
This isn’t nearly often enough because hypertension (high blood pressure) can strike anyone regardless of age, gender, or race without warning.
“What’s scary is that besides being relatively common and extremely dangerous if left untreated, you may not even know you have high blood pressure until you have it checked,” notes Philadelphia internist and Pennsylvania Medical Society member John Cacciamani, MD.
“Imagine pumping a ton of water out of your basement through a pinhole. Eventually, the pump gives up. High blood pressure needs to be detected and treated or else it can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems, or kidney failure,” Dr. Cacciamani adds.
Dr. Cacciamani also encourages all patients to have their blood pressure checked regularly, especially those who are at higher risk:
- Men over 45 and women over 55
- Post-menopausal women and those who take oral contraceptives
- One or both of your parents had high blood pressure
- African Americans
If your doctor diagnoses high blood pressure, he or she may recommend dietary changes and exercise, stress reduction, and possible medications.
“First of all, find out if you have it. And if you do, follow your doctor’s recommendations and just get it down. Even small reductions in blood pressure can have a big impact on your health,” adds Dr. Cacciamani.