HYPERTENSION
The Silent Killer

Lower Your Blood Pressure with Healthy Eating

WARNING:

High Blood Pressure is a serious medical condition that can be life threatening and may require medication. While the information included in the links that follow should assist you in lowering your blood pressure, it is not a substitute for seeking the advice and treatment of a physician. Individuals with high blood pressure should consult with a physician.

INTRODUCTION

High blood pressure or hypertension is a serious medical condition that affects millions of Americans. Because often people live unknowingly with hypertension, it is known as The Silent Killer. Hypertension increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, which are two of the three leading causes of death for Americans. The key to identifying this condition is having routine physicals and/or having blood pressure monitored periodically. It is essential to know your number. Blood pressure monitoring is available through local health departments and your family doctor. Some retail stores (e.g., Wal-mart, K-mart and drug stores) have self-monitoring blood pressure stations. Also, Division 14 is in the process of obtaining blood pressure monitoring equipment to have available at various work sites. Self monitoring is important and can be helpful for screening to alert you of potential problems, but should not be substituted for routine physicals or advice of health care providers.

There are several factors that you can control that can help reduce blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, eating a healthy diet, reducing sodium in your diet and limiting consumption of alcohol can help lower your blood pressure. If you are on medication for blood pressure, you also should be sure to take medications as directed by your health care provider. Individuals that take medications to control there blood pressure are typically instructed by there doctors to be physically active, to eat healthy foods and to limit sodium intake.

Division 14's Wellness Committee, Roadway to Health, is providing these links to increase awareness among our employees about this serious medical condition and to assist our employees in managing this condition. The information provided at the links in the table of contents are from reputable sources and includes proven methods to help prevent developing high blood pressure and to help reduce blood pressure in individuals that already have high blood pressure.

The materials in this compilation focus primarily on how to reduce hypertension through changes to diet, especially a reduction in sodium and fat intake. Poor nutrition is a major contributor to hypertension; however, high cholesterol, being overweight or obese, tobacco use, inactivity, and genetics are also important contributing factors. Thus, an individual may want to consider an integrated management approach that addresses other controllable risk factors.

Notebook Contents
Section 1	Know the Signs--Heart Attack, Heart Attack in Women, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest	3 pages
Section 2	Protect Your Heart! Prevent High Blood Pressure	8 pages
Section 3	Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure	20 pages
Section 4	Dash Eating Plan	56 pages
Section 5	Lowering Your Blood Pressure - Tips to Reduce Salt and Sodium in Your Diet	5 pages
Section 6	Spice Up Your Life! Eat Less Salt and Sodium	8 pages
Section 7	Move to Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure: Mission Possible	2 pages
Section 8	High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy	3 pages
Section 9	Sources of Information on Blood Pressure and the Heart National Heart Lung and Blood Institute American Heart Association Mayo Clinic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Compiled by:
Roadway to Health Wellness Committee
May 2008