How well did you do?
Answers to the high blood pressure prevention IQ
quiz:
1. FALSE. You can help prevent high blood pressure
with four steps: Keep a healthy weight; be physically
active; limit your salt and sodium intake; and, if you
drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
2. FALSE. You are more likely to get high blood pressure
if it runs in your family, but that doesn't mean you
will get it. Your risk for high blood pressure is also
greater if you're older or an African-American. But
high blood pressure is NOT an inevitable part of aging,
and everyone can take steps to prevent the disease—the
steps are given in answer 1.
3. FALSE. About 15% of adults ages 18 to 39 have
high blood pressure. Once you have high blood pressure,
you have it for the rest of your life. So start now
to prevent it.
4. TRUE. High blood pressure, or hypertension, usually
has no symptoms. In fact, it is often called the "silent
killer." You can have high blood pressure and feel fine.
That's why it's important to have your blood pressure
checked regularly.
5. FALSE. Stress does make blood pressure go up,
but only temporarily. Ups and downs in blood pressure
are normal. Run for a bus and it rises; sleep and it
drops. Blood pressure is the force of blood against
the walls of arteries. Blood pressure becomes dangerous
when it's always high. That harms your heart and blood
vessels. So what causes high blood pressure? In the
vast majority of cases, a single cause is never found.
6. FALSE. High blood pressure is a major risk factor
for stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease.
7. TRUE. But even blood pressure slightly under 140/90
mm Hg can increase your risk of heart disease or stroke.
8. TRUE. As weight increases, so does blood pressure.
It's important to stay at a healthy weight. If you are
overweight, try to lose 1/2 to 1 pound a week. Choose
foods low in fat—especially saturated fat. Even if you're
at a good weight, it's best to eat foods low in fat
and cholesterol.
9. FALSE. Studies show that even a little physical
activity strengthens your heart and helps prevent high
blood pressure. Even among the overweight, those who
are active have lower blood pressure than those who
aren't. It's best to do some activity for 30 minutes
on most days. Walk, garden, or bowl. If you can't spare
30 minutes, do something for 15 minutes, twice a day.
Every bit helps—so make activity part of your daily
routine.
10. TRUE. Americans eat way too much salt and sodium.
And some people, including many African-Americans, are
especially sensitive to salt. Salt is made of sodium
and chloride, and it's mostly the sodium that affects
blood pressure. Salt is only one form of sodium—there
are others. So you need to watch your use of both salt
and sodium. That includes what's added to foods at the
table and in cooking, and what's already in processed
foods and snacks. Americans, especially people with
high blood pressure, should consume no more than 6 grams
of salt or 2.4 grams of sodium per day.
11. FALSE. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood
pressure. If you drink, have no more than two drinks
a day. The "Dietary Guidelines" recommend that for overall
health, women should limit their alcohol to no more
than one drink a day. A drink would be 1.5 ounces of
80-proof whiskey, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of
beer.
12. TRUE. But high blood pressure can be treated
and controlled. Treatment usually includes lifestyle
changes—losing weight, if overweight; becoming physically
active; limiting salt and sodium, and alcohol—and, if
needed, medication. But the best way to avoid the dangers
of high blood pressure is to prevent the condition.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Published by: Women's Healthcare Consultants
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