SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Most people get their blood pressure checked every time they go to the doctor's office. It's a painless, inexpensive test, but a very important one for patients.
"If they don't check their blood pressure on a regular basis, they may go for years with a high blood pressure and it can lead to an increase risk for heart attack or stroke," says Linda Drey, the Nursing Director with the Siouxland District Health Department.
A new report out from the Iowa Department of Public Health says 28 percent of Iowans, or about 1 in 4, have high blood pressure. That's lower than the national average which is about 1 in 3 with the condition.
"High blood pressure is a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease or heart disease and we know in Iowa that cardiovascular disease is one of the top three killers of Iowans," says Drey.
Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80.
"If you get up to a blood pressure of 130 or 140, that's considered to be pre-hypertensive," says Drey.
If you have high blood pressure, you might not even know it. That's why it's often called 'the silent killer.'
"You often don't have any symptoms that your pressure is high until it's very high and you could be at risk for a heart attack or stroke," says Drey.
For those with high blood pressure, it can be a daily struggle to keep it under control. It can be controlled through medication. Eating a healthy diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and veggies, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption can also help lower blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80.
