Heart disease is the number one cause of deathfor women in the United States. One of the major risk factors for heart disease is hypertension, which is a blood pressure at or above 130/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because women with the condition may show no symptoms.
The key to preventing hypertension is to know and control your blood pressure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly half of women who have hypertension (high blood pressure) do not have it under control. The good news: Early diagnosis and blood pressure management can reduce heart-related disease and death.
The theme of NWBPAW 2022 – Healthy Hearts, Healthy Communities – highlights the need to connect women with resources and tools within their communities to improve their heart health. We encourage you to take simple, everyday steps to control your blood pressure and put a heart-healthy lifestyle into practice.
Why focus on connecting women to community resources?
Connecting women with the latest information, evidence, and research on how to measure and control their blood pressure is more important than ever. The reason?: a recent survey shows most women do not recognize that heart disease is their number one health threat. In addition, some heart disease risk factors and symptoms differ between women and men, which may complicate diagnosis.
During NWBPAW, we encourage women of all ages – that means you! – to connect with people and resources in your community for support. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, meaning it’s likely you or someone you love has the condition. Now is the time to reach out and explore what your community offers in terms of free support – from measuring blood pressure to developing a plan to achieve blood pressure control.
What are the daily themes for the week?
Throughout the week, OWH will share messages to promote daily themes focused on blood pressure control and awareness.
Sunday
BP Bootcamp – A Crash Course in Knowing Your Numbers
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, occurs when the pressure or force of blood flowing through your arteries is higher than normal. If the pressure of blood pushing against the artery walls is too high, it can damage your arteries and cause other complications.
Blood pressure is a measure of:
- Systolic pressure (the top number): the pressure as your heart beats or pumps blood into your arteries.
- Diastolic pressure (the bottom number): the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
To lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, try to maintain your blood pressure at less than 120 systolic/80 diastolic. Click here for more information about high blood pressure symptoms and causes.
Find out more about maintaining healthy blood pressure and how to monitor your blood pressure at home, here. You can also print this tool to help you keep track of your blood pressure!
Ukuthula/UBUNTU
mon oct 17 2022 REmbr… G is, as G can only BE. GOOD
If I didn’t define myself, I’d be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive. audre lorde
amen. so BE it. laff THRU it…yes. in Time.
ponder on this 