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Who
is at risk?
If you have high blood pressure, or hypertension,
you are not alone. It is one of the most common
conditions for which people receive medication.
Left untreated, mild hypertension, which may have
no symptoms, can progress to severe hypertension.
This can lead to a life-threatening condition, such
as a heart attack, a stroke, or kidney disease.
That is why it is so important that you see your
doctor regularly for checkups.
Are
you at risk?
Although some of us are at greater risk than
others, everyone has some potential for developing
hypertension, along with the medical complications
it can cause. You may be male or female, young
or old, active or inactive, overweight or thin,
and of any race or ethnic group. Your lifestyle
may be highly stressed or very relaxed, and your
family history may or may not include relatives
who have had hypertension or heart disease. Perhaps
you are undergoing treatment for diabetes, heart
disease, cancer, or another chronic condition.
Simply put, it does not matter who you are--you
can be at risk for hypertension and its consequences.
Do you think your blood pressure may be high
but have not spoken to your doctor about it? Consider
the following questions.
> Have you previously
taken medication for high blood pressure but quit?
> Do you have
a family history of hypertension or heart disease?
> Do you get
little or no regular physical exercise?
> 1 Are you overweight
for your height, age, and build?
> Do you smoke
or use tobacco?
> Do you eat a
lot of salty foods or add a lot of salt to your
food?
Is your diet high in cholesterol and/or saturated
fats?
If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions,
it is essential that you consult with your doctor.
Using this site can help prepare you for that
visit.
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