The reason for identifying and treating hypertension is to reduce risk for cardiovascular disease and morbidity and mortality associated with it. Hypertension also increases risk for such problems as kidney damage.
Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in the United States.
Even with the widespread use of medications to lower blood pressure, the majority of Americans with hypertension still do not have their condition under control, and nearly half of those with hypertension are not being treated. It is especially important for these individuals to work to prevent hypertension from developing. Treatment to lower blood pressure may be useful, particularly to prevent stroke, to preserve renal function, and to prevent heart failure or slow its progression. Control of blood pressure can be achieved by lifestyle modification, alone or with prescribed medications. The following lifestyle modifications offer the potential for preventing hypertension and have been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure.