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Health Alert for High Blood Pressure
Posted: 03.19.2011 at 12:46 PM
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It's easily and inexpensively treated
Here's a health problem you can take care of: high blood pressure.
Dr. Rich O'Neill, psycholotist at SUNY Upstate, says more people over 45 have it.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that one in four Americans has hypertension, and of that group, O'Neill says 20% are completely unaware--even though high blood pressure can lead to cardio problems including heart attack and stroke. And about half the people with hypertension are not controlling the condition with easily availalble and often inexpensive meds.
O'Neill says blood pressure checks are easily available, in pharmacies and at health fairs. Besides medication, exercising, losing weight an reducing stress can also bring pressure down, to the point that medication is no longer necessary.