During May, National High Blood Pressure Education Month, the Alabama Hypertension Program reminds you that even slightly high blood pressure levels can increase your disease risk. Diseases of the heart are responsible for about a third of all deaths of Alabamians, and 75 percent of kidney failure could be prevented by controlling blood pressure. This is especially important in Alabama, because this state has the highest incidence of kidney disease in the country. I strongly urge everyone to have your blood pressure checked regularly and, if it is high, seek and follow your physician's advice. The National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group Report on Primary Prevention of Hypertension found that the prevalence of high blood pressure rises progressively with age.
Hypertension is higher in blacks than in whites.
In youth and early middle age, men have a higher prevalence of high blood pressure than women, but the reverse is true later in life. Blood pressure is high if the top number is 140 or greater, or the bottom is 90 or greater. About 20 to 30 percent of hypertension in the United States can be attributed to this one health problem. Cut down on salt. Avoid salt intake of six or more grams daily.