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Blood Pressure: What You Don't Know Can Kill You

Millions aren't aware of link to heart attack and stroke

February 1, 2008

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Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is called "the silent killer." There are no obvious symptoms, but millions of people have it. Many eventually die of a heart attack or stroke.

While most people are aware that high blood pressure is not healthy, a new survey by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors has found only 50 percent are aware of the association with heart attack and stroke.

The survey found that 72 percent of Americans are aware of the multiple factors contributing to high blood pressure, including obesity, lack of exercise, salt intake and alcohol consumption. Yet, only 42 percent associate high blood pressure with stroke and heart attack.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, but it can be controlled through medication, diet and exercise, according to the American Heart Association.

The survey also found that 76 percent of Americans are not worried about getting high blood pressure, and that 80 percent of Americans 55 and over also are not concerned. That's particularly troubling because high blood pressure mostly affects middle age and older Americans.

"Only 24 percent of survey respondents are worried about getting high blood pressure," said John Robitscher, NACDD executive director. "But according to the American Heart Association, approximately 33 percent of Americans have the condition.

"In essence, about 20 million American adults are not worried about getting high blood pressure, but are likely to develop it."

avid P. Hoffman, director, Bureau of Chronic Disease Services, New York State Department of Health, said there is a lack of federal funding for heart disease and stroke prevention, even though heart disease is the nation's No. 1 killer.

"Only 34 states and the District of Columbia receive federal funds for heart disease and stroke prevention. The rest must rely on state funding and other resources."

High blood pressure is particularly prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history never develop it. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Among other survey findings:

• Nearly four in 10 Americans (38 percent) say they do not know their blood pressure reading, and surprisingly, more than one in 5 (22 percent) of older Americans do not know their personal readings.

• Nearly one in four Americans (24 percent) report being diagnosed with high blood pressure, compared to 37 percent for African-Americans. Two-thirds of African-Americans have high blood pressure, according to the AHA. The condition strikes African-Americans 10 years earlier than whites.

• Most African-Americans know that they have the highest risk for high blood pressure of all racial and ethnic groups, but 76 percent without high blood pressure say they are not worried about getting it in the future.

• More than four in five Americans (85 percent) with high blood pressure take prescription medication to control it; only 10 percent use diet and exercise alone, while 4 percent do nothing.

• In general, Americans over-estimate the prevalence of high blood pressure. On average, Americans think 48 percent of the public has it.

• Most Americans (77 percent) believe that high blood pressure is rising among children and teens. This confirms recent studies showing that after decades of decline, blood pressure levels in children and adolescents are increasing. The studies, including one published in the September 2007 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, suggest a link between blood pressure increases and the recent jump in childhood obesity.

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