Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Fortunately, up to 80% of heart disease is preventable, and there are many things people can do to reduce their risk. High blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.
The university offers a number of programs that can help you raise your awareness and reduce your risk of hypertension and heart disease:
Think you know the truth about hypertension and heart disease? Test your knowledge by taking the six-question Heart Health Challenge. U-M faculty and staff who complete the challenge by Feb. 29 can enter to win one of five $10 Amazon gift cards!
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Wear Red on Friday, February 7 to help raise awareness about heart disease and that it’s the leading cause of death for women – and is largely preventable.
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High blood pressure is serious but can be treated — usually with basic lifestyle changes. Consider these simple steps to lower yours.
Read the articleReduce your risk of hypertension and heart disease with these seven tips. Select the panel to get more information and find university programs and resources.
Knowing your blood pressure numbers and whether you are at risk is important. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 1 of 3 U.S. adults – or about 75 million people – have high blood pressure, but only about half (54%) of these people have their high blood pressure under control.
The top number (systolic pressure) measures how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic pressure) measures how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart is resting between beats. Having either number elevated can lead to a diagnosis of high blood pressure.
Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg are considered within the normal range. Hypertension Stage 1 is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic. According to recent studies, the risk of death from heart disease and stroke doubles with every 20 mm Hg systolic increase or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase among people from age 40 to 89.
Resources available:
Overweight and obesity are linked to high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which can raise your risk of heart disease and heart attack.
Programs and resources available:
Experts recommend striving for at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) each week of physical activity. There are flexible ways to break it into amounts of daily activity, and even small amounts add up and can have lasting heart health benefits.
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Research suggests that an emotionally upsetting event – particularly one involving anger – can trigger high blood pressure, heart attack, angina and other cardiovascular risks. Some of the ways people cope with stress – drinking alcohol, abusing other substances, smoking, or overeating – can also put you at risk.
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Too much sodium may cause your body to hold on to extra water, which can raise blood pressure and force your heart and kidneys to work harder. Consuming less than 2,200 milligrams daily is advised.
Programs and resources available:
The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm your blood cells. They also can damage the function of your heart and the structure and function of your blood vessels. No matter how long you've used tobacco, quitting will reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Programs and resources available:
Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If you drink alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. A drink is one 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits. Note: MHealthy experts do not endorse daily alcohol use.
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