NEWS    RECALLS    COMPLAINT FORM    SCAM ALERTS   RESOURCES  
Small Claims Guide   Class Actions   Lemon Laws   FAQ   Newsletters  


Complain about a product or service

Automotive    Education    Employment    Electronics    Family    Finance    Health    Homeowners    Pets    Shopping    Travel   



NEWS   Latest |  Archives |  Auto |  Cells, etc. |  Computers |  Financial |  Health |  Homeowners |  Parents |  Privacy |  Scams |  Seniors |  Travel

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

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





February 1, 2008


Statins Could Prevent More Heart Attacks
High Blood Pressure Control More Elusive for Black Americans
Low Potassium May Equal High Sodium as Blood Pressure Risk
Grapes Might Help Manage Blood Pressure
Statins May Help Prevent Miscarriages
FDA Recommends No Change In Use Of Statins
Statins May Help Reduce Blood Pressure
New Guidelines for Stubborn High Blood Pressure
Study: New Blood Pressure Rx Has Fewer Side Effects
Weight Loss Found Effective in Reducing Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure Patients Ignore Recommended Diet
Study: Beetroot Juice Can Beat High Blood Pressure
How Much Sodium Is Too Much? It Depends
Blood Pressure: What You Don't Know Can Kill You
Diuretics May Be Best Blood Pressure Treatment
Researchers Find Gene Implicated in High Blood Pressure
FDA Approves New Beta Blocker
VA Study Finds Seasonal Differences in Blood Pressure
Heavy Drinking Linked To High Blood Pressure In Older Men
Yoga May Help Control Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure Often Undiagnosed in Children, Teens
Small Amounts Of Exercise Can Lower Blood Pressure
Cocoa, Not Tea, Appears To Lower Blood Pressure
FDA Green Lights New Blood Pressure Drug
Researchers Find Chinese Herb Reduces Blood Pressure
Moderate Drinking May Be OK for Men with High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure Not Well Controlled Among Older Patients
Small Doses Of Exercise Can Lower Blood Pressure
Medical Experts Call for FDA Action on Salt
---
Health News

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."

D

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.



Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.



Asterpix

CONSUMER NEWS

SAFETY RECALLS

PRINT, ETC.

Print This

Email This


FREE CONSUMER NEWSLETTERS

The Daily Consumer
Afternoons M-F

Sign up now!


Consumer News & Alerts
Every Sunday

Sign up now!

MOST-VIEWED PAGES

NEW COMPLAINTS

Hey there! ConsumerAffairs.com is using Twitter.
Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch throughout the day. Join today to start receiving ConsumerAffairs.com's updates.



Back to the top |

Advertisement


Custom Search
AUTOMOTIVE
• Dealers
• Manufacturers
• Service
• Extended Warranties
• Lemon Laws
• Recalls
• Tires
• Transporters

FAMILY
• Aging
• Children, Parenting
• Recalls
• Dating
• Education
• Entertainment
• Pets
• Weddings
FINANCE
• Annuities
• Banks
• Credit Cards
• Debt Collection
• Debt Counseling
• Insurance
• Investing
• Loans
• Mortgages
• Payday Loans
• Student Loans
• Tax Prep

HEALTH
• Doctors
• Drugs, Pharmacies
• Health Clubs
• Hearing Care
• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
• Nutrition, Diets
• Vision Care
• Weight Loss
HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS
• Appliances
• Cookware
• Furniture
• Home Improvements
• Lawn & Garden
• Movers
• Pools & Spas
• Realtors, Rental Agents
• Recalls
• Utilities

ELECTRONICS
• Cable TV/DBS
• Cameras
• Cell Phones
• Computers
• Home Electronics
• Internet Access
• Local Phone Service
• Long Distance
• VoIP
SHOPPING
• In-Home
• Online
• Retail Stores
• Sporting Goods
• Supermarkets
• Telemarketers

TRAVEL
• Airlines
• Bus Lines
• Car Rental
• Cruises
• Hotels
• Travel Agents
• Trains

RESOURCES
• Class Actions
• Complaint Form
• Small Claims Guide
• Lemon Laws
CONSUMER NEWS
• Latest News
• Automotive
• Telecom
• Financial
• Health
• Homeowners
• Scams
• Seniors
• Travel
• More ...

RECALLS
• Automotive
• Children's Products
• Drugs
• Food
• Household Products
• Sporting Goods

ABOUT US
• FAQ
• Privacy Policy
• Advertise With Us
• Newsroom
• Syndication
• Terms of Use

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2009 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.