Step 5: High blood pressure is "silent"

Return to Index Step 1: What is Blood Pressure?Step 2: Take High Blood Pressure Seriously Step 3: What Causes High Blood Pressure?Step 4: Who Gets High Blood Pressure?Step 5: High Blood Pressure is "Silent"Step 6: Diagnosing High Blood Pressure Step 7: Follow-up Office Visits Step 8: Treatment Overview Step 9: Maintain Healthy Habits Step 10: Drug Therapy Step 11: Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home Step 12: You and Your Doctor are a Team Key Points Glossary

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High blood pressure has been aptly called the "silent killer" because it usually produces NO symptoms! Millions of people have high blood pressure, and many do not even know they have this serious condition.

Untreated high blood pressure increases slowly over the years. It is important, therefore, for anyone with risk factors to have their blood pressure checked regularly and to make lifestyle changes, if appropriate.

Regular blood pressure screening and lifestyle changes are urged for individuals who:

Have pre-high blood pressure
Have mildly elevated systolic pressure with normal diastolic
Have a family history of high blood pressure
Are overweight
Are over forty years old

Take Action!

If you have not had your blood pressure checked in the past year, call your health care provider and schedule a check-up.

A check-up is especially important if you have ANY of the above risk factors.

Review Date: 6/8/2011
Reviewed By: Steven Kang, MD, Division of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, East Bay Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Consultants Medical Group, Oakland, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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