DELAWAREANS ENCOURAGED TO KNOW THEIR NUMBERS FOR BLOOD PRESSURE

Dover (October 20, 2014) - Heart disease and stroke combined are the leading causes of death in Delaware, and high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) contributes to thousands of heart attacks and strokes each year. Many Delawareans have elevated blood pressure, putting them at risk for heart attack or stroke, but don't know it since there are often no symptoms. That's why it's so important to have blood pressure checked at a doctor's office or a local pharmacy.

A healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80. When blood pressure goes above 120/80, talk to your health care provider about the risks of high blood pressure. "If your blood pressure is greater than 140/90, you should be taking medication to control your blood pressure," said Edward Goldenberg, M.D., Million Hearts Delaware Chair. Million Hearts Delaware, a statewide public-private partnership, supports the national goal to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.

Some risk factors for high blood pressure cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. However, certain behaviors increase risk for high blood pressure - an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, too much alcohol, and tobacco use. Risk can be lowered by making positive lifestyle changes.

The Division of Public Health recommends following healthy habits:

• Eating a low-sodium diet that includes at least three vegetables and two fruits per day;
• Consuming non-fat or low-fat dairy products;
• Getting regular physical activity aiming for a total of an hour per day;
• Cutting out sugar-sweetened beverages;
• Reducing recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day;
• Limiting alcohol to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men;
• Avoiding tobacco.

"Million Hearts is a great example of a partnership to change the health care system to a health wellness system," said Dr. Karyl T. Rattay, DPH director. "Creating a culture of health requires a commitment to prevention."

For more information about hypertension and Million Hearts Delaware, please visit their website at millionheartsde.com/

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.