January 20, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Health, Fitness & Beauty Uncontrolled high blood pressure is serious risk (NAPSI) If someone told you that you could help stop a killer from making you a victim if you knew two certain numbers that you could change, would you want to know how? If your answer is yes, the numbers you want to know are your blood pressure levels. The killer you want to stop is uncontrolled high blood pressure. Get your blood pressure checked. The goal for most people is to have a blood pressure level less than 120/80. Your blood pressure reading is one important sign of your overall cardiovascular health status. High blood pressure is a sneaky health problem because people rarely notice symptoms until potentially life-threatening damage has been done to the cardiovascular system. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the Number 1 risk factor for stroke, increasing risk by four to six times. The higher your blood pressure is, the greater your risk of heart attack, heart failure, and kidney disease. The worst part is that nearly 30 percent of Americans who have high blood pressure do not even realize they have it. That is one reason why poorly managed high blood pressure is named as a suspected cause in more than 300,000 American deaths each year. An estimated 90 percent of middle-aged American adults will develop high blood pressure during their lifetime. The best way to tell if you have the condition is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. If detected, the good news is that high blood pressure can usually be controlled. A healthy lifestyle is an important first step in managing high blood pressure. That means eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. If lifestyle changes do not work, it may be necessary to add medication. All medications have risks and benefits, and it is not clear why some medications cause side effects in some patients but not in others. For example, some studies estimate that up to 20 percent of patients who take an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor experience side effects, usually a cough. If you are experiencing side effects with a medication, talk with your doctor to find the right treatment for you. Remember: The best way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. If your numbers are high, you need to work with your doctor and take action to stop this killer in its tracks. ������������������������ ��������������������� �������� ����������� 2 for 1 Special Family Add On Special NOW going On!! YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER ������������ 1-20-10 janine RetroFitness3x9(1-20-10)